The Power Within

Chapter Thirteen

Gabby and Mom-ra were making lunch. My dad was on and off the phone, making calls and learning everything he could about Malcom's location and plans. Meanwhile, I made myself comfortable on the bed, and opened the book Louisa had let me borrow. Quickly, I found the section I needed, and started to read. 

I wasn't sure how long I sat there, reading and re-reading those words. I closed the book with a huff. I tossed it towards my feet and closed my eyes. I have to let everyone know what I've found out. A small knock on the door had me sitting up and opening my eyes.

"Come in," I said. I smelt Mica before I saw him. He smelled like a bakery again, instead of a nasty locker-room. I need to ask him about that. I thought to myself. He sat on the edge of the bed, close to my feet. He eyed the book. He picked it up and read the title.

"The Mate-Bond, and its Power." He raised his eyebrows and thumbed the pages, "where did you get this?"

The question seemed simple, but there was something about the tone of his voice, that made me lie, "it's mine."

He turned to look at me, his eyes were cold and narrowed, "don't lie to me, mate." He spat the word 'mate'. "I know it's not your book..."

I interrupted him, "wait? What?" I shimmied off the bed, and put some distance between us. I crossed my arms, and glared at him. "Why do you think I'm lying?" There was no way I was going to admit my falsehood now, not with his attitude. What if he got angry at Louisa? I shook my head. My eyes widen when the thought hit me, "did you go through my things? While I was unconscious?" My voice got louder with each question I asked.

Mica stood up and got so close to me that I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. I was not going to show this lying bastard any of my fear. I forced the fear down. I couldn't afford to show my fear. I couldn't afford to even be afraid. I had to be brave. 

"You had no right to go through my stuff." The anger I felt was better than fear. 

His voice was low, and menacing, "I had every right to go through your things. You were a stranger. I needed to know who you were before I could let you into my home."

I pushed at his chest with all my strength. I needed space. He was too close to me. To my surprise, he stumbled, and took a few steps back. His scowl became worse. Well, that's fine. I'm pissed too! I thought.

"I'm not going to apologize for keeping my family safe."

I stared at him in disbelief. "Keep your family safe?!" I threw my hands in the air, but pointed to my chest, as I continued. "I was the one unconscious. I was the one in danger! Not you, and not your family!" I yelled at him. I heard footsteps, and our parents rushed through the open door. 

"What is going on in here?" Gabby asked. 

My mom came over to me and wrapped her arms around me. I stepped out of her embrace. I did not want to calm down. I wanted the anger. I pointed to Mica. "Ask him." I told Gabby and stormed out of the bedroom. I didn't stop walking until I made it outside the house. I could hear my mom following me, but I ignored her.

How could that bastard go through my things? What made him think I was dangerous? What is wrong with him? I bent down to grab a small rock from the drive-way. I threw it, hard. Who the hell gave him the right? His words kept bouncing around in my head. "You were a stranger. I had every right to go through your things." I threw another rock. What a jerk! He was a self-serving son-of-a-b***h!  And don't even get me started on the whole mate thing! That man has to be insane.

My mom came up to stand next to me. She put her hand on my arm. "Kiley, please, tell me what's going on." 

I took a deep breath. I needed to tell my parents everything. And then we were getting our stuff and getting the hell out of here. 

"Go get Daddy-en, so I can tell you both."

She gave me a slight nod, and went to go get my dad. I sat on one of the steps of the front porch, and took another deep breath. My parents both came out of the front door a second later. My dad came down the steps to stand in front of me, and my mom sat next to me. She put one arm around my back. 

Dad crossed his arms. "Talk to us, Kiley-Ann, so we can help you."

I laid my head on my mom's shoulder and told them everything. I told them about how confused I've been about Mica being my mate. I explained his smell, about how he would smell great one minute, and then the next minute he would smell disgusting. I told them all about the fight Mica and I just had about the book. 

When I mentioned the book, my mom asked, softly, "what did the book say?"

I raised my head off her shoulder to look her in the eye. "I was right. Mica is not my mate."

"I was hoping to do this the easy way, but I guess the hard way works too." 

I gasped at the deadly tone in Mica's voice, and turned around to face him. My blood went cold when I saw the gun in his hands pointed right at my mom.