Hestia House Book One

Chapter Nine

~Arynn’s POV~

I was not expecting a simple question to cause such a ruckus. Both Leo and Diego started speaking at the same time, then started trying to speak over each other, and Tom just sat there looking at me. I mentally shook my head, wishing I could take it back and try again. Instead I downed half my water bottle and cleared my throat. Thankfully it was enough to reclaim their attention and quiet down.

“Thank you for your attention, again. I withdraw the question. Instead, let me just tell you my perspective on my life, and then we can hash out the rest later.” I took a sip of my water, then took the next hour to tell my life story to my mate, my protector, and my pack warrior. After the fifth interruption, I grabbed a notebook and pen off a nearby shelf and left it on the coffee table in front of them. To my great relief, they all figured it out without prompting and proceeded to write down their questions while I spoke. I felt the occasional mental nudge from Leo, I assume, but pushed it out without response. It was hard enough getting through the story without mental dialogue. At the end, I finished my water while reaching for the notebook, which was placed into my hand by Tom. I think the other two decided he was a neutral party in this mix and could be the one to go between.

The first question on there was from Leo. Why didn’t you come to my pack?

“I didn’t go to you Leo because two of your warriors had been blown up because of me, and because I didn’t know where your pack was. I had never left pack grounds, or even reached the borders until I ran away.” He seemed fairly satisfied with that answer, so I moved onto Diego’s question. Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Ugh.

“Diego, we all made a promise to not delve into our pasts unless there was a real and present danger to the others. I thought I was safe, and there was no real threat or danger until a week ago when Tom started asking around the shop for me. Which, Tom, is not a very covert way to hunt someone down. You are more likely to startle your prey and cause them to run. Which, with wolves, causes them to be more dangerous.”

“Tom was acting on my orders, and I figure you already know. I thought it would be best to be direct. We had no idea how to actually find you, so startling anyone out of hiding seemed the best method.” Leo’s self-assurance caused me to bristle, so my response had a stronger tone than I intended.

“Scaring any poor rogue who is on the run for their life is not the way to find someone Leo. Most of us have very valid reasons for hiding who we are, on top of trying to find a living so we can continue to live or run. There were other ways to find me and you know it. So if you can’t admit that it was a crappy way to do it, then we will have to agree to disagree.” I huffed and sat back, turning my attention to the notebook and the rest of the questions. But I didn’t miss the tension in the room skyrocket as Leo drew forward and his wolf tried for control. Even Diego seemed cowed, but I wouldn’t, not after the years of living under Sean.

“Leo, if you are going to continue to be a butt about this, then you can leave for the night. I have an early shift tomorrow, so we can talk again over dinner.” I stood, set the notebook on the coffee table, and walked to the door. As my hand touched the doorknob, Leo was there behind me, his hand holding the door shut. I could feel his anger rolling off him, and the part of me that was still trying to escape being an Omega wanted to cower. But the part of me I was exploring and thriving in, the part of me that was Luna and leader, turned and stared into his dark, stormy eyes. “Leo, let me leave. This conversation can’t continue right now, not while you are angry.”

His eyes held my gaze, the mind nudge coming back again a little stronger before settling into a small tug. Leo let out a deep sigh, closed his eyes and rested his forehead against mine for a small moment. Then he covered my hand on the doorknob and helped me open the door. His parting words held so much distress I almost faltered.

“Have a good night my Luna. I will see you tomorrow.”