More than a memory

Chapter 15

Jeremy

Clarissa stood in the middle of their living room and just stared at her phone when Rico rushed in from the bedroom.

- Jeremy is getting on my nerves! How could he still have his Alpha voice?! Why am I acting like a pup whenever he raises his voice?! You know what I've noticed? Lately he sounds more like his old self, like when he still had Ulric... Do you think he maybe got him back? - only after his monologue he noticed his mate's shocked face. Rico rushed to her side and hugged Clarissa from behind.

- Baby, what's wrong? - he asked in a gentle voice and Clarissa glanced at him.

- Roxy...

- Did something happened to her? - his hold got stronger. Rico loved Roxanne like a sister and he knew that all he had he could thank to her. Without Roxanne standing up for them years ago against Jeremy, they'd never been able to get together. He was too loyal to his Alpha and friend.

- She is in love. - Clarissa said with a bittersweet smile.

- But this is a good thing, no? - Rico said.

- Love, she fell for him.

- For who? His abusive boyfriend? Didn't she leave him already? - Clarissa shook her head and turned around to face her mate.

- Don't be ridiculous. She is gathering information and evidence against him. The friend who helps her, she fell for him. I'm sure he is Jeremy. - Rico became motionless for a second.

- I know we talked about it, but I thought he was keeping hus distance. Does Roxy know? - Clarissa shook her head.

- She knows him as Jerry. She said that she feels safe with him. Tomorrow she'll introduce him to us.

- What?

- You heard me right. She invited him to dinner.

- How will we pretend that we don't know Jeremy?! - Rico freaked out. He knew Jeremy since he was a pup. Jeremy taught him fight and he always saved Rico from all the trouble they got into.

- We will be great actors. If he can do it so can we. - they went to pack their suitcases.

The next night at Roxanne's apartment.

Clarissa rang the bell and a smiling Roxanne ripped the door open. She hugged Clarissa and jumped into Rico's arms right after that. Clarissa was shocked. The last time they saw Roxanne she was the shadow of herself.

- Wow Roxy, you look great! - Rico complimented while they walked in.

- He is right! You seem like someone switched you!- Clarissa added and Roxanne smiled.

- I'm just happy to see you two! Also I'm excited about today and about the play tomorrow. - they took a seat at the kitchen table while Roxanne finished the last touches of the dinner.

- When will the mysterious knight arrive? - Clarissa asked and Rico chuckled.

- I'd like to remind you that if he is not goos enough I'll throw him out of the balcony. - Roxanne turned around at pointed at Rico with the wooden spoon.

- Don't you dare!

- Why not? It is our duty to take care of you. We are family. - Roxanne's expression softened.

- I know, but I really like him. I feel so much better when he is around. I know thia sounds silly, but I feel like I've found my other half. - Rico swallowed hardly. He knew the feeling Roxy talked about. It was the same thing what he felt when he met Clarissa. It was a bond... But Jeremy broke their bond... How could she feel this way? The bell rang and Roxanne quickly fixed her hair. She looked at Rico with pleading eyes.

- Please guys act normal! He doesn't know that I have feelings for him! - she rushed to open the door. " Hi! Thank you for coming!" Clarissa and Rico heard Roxanne from the door and they smiled at each other. They could hear the excitement in her voice, but also how both of their hearts were beating fast. Roxanne walked into the room and Jeremy followed her. Rico smiled at his friend. He looked so much better as well. Jeremy got back his previous shape and his eyes weren't so empty anymore. They stood up and Rico shook hands with his dear friend. It was hard for him not to hug Jeremy.

- Nice to meet you! My name is Rico!

- Jerry! - as they shook hands and old memory popped into their heads. Jeremy was around ten years old and Rico six. It was the first time his mother let him wonder around and he obviously got deep into the forest. Rico heard a sound behind him and started to run. A Rouge followed him and he knew this was the end of his life. He shut his eyes closed but all he heard was a painful whimper. He opened his eyes still shaking with fear and saw a tiny grey wolf. It ripped the Rouge's neck open. He shifted back into a boy around his age. He had blonde hair and piercing silver eyes. The boy extended his hand to help him get up.

- Thank you for saving my life!

- You are from the Fearless Pack. - he didn't ask, the boy stated it. Rico nodded.

- We are family, it is my job to protect my pack. What is your name?

- Rico. - they shook hands and Rico'a got covered with blood.

- Jeremy Hayes! Future Alpha! - Rico got back from the memories and they both grinned at each other. Jeremy turned to Clarissa and introduced himself while he handed a tiny flower bouquet to her. Clarissa smiled and felt the same urge as her mate. They wanted to hug their Alpha and friend. Only now Clarissa understood why Rico complained about lately. She could feel the power radiating from Jeremy even when he just took a seat in front of them.

- So Jerry... What are you up to lately? - Rico asked and Jeremy grinned.

- I'm trying to destroy a life and save another. - Clarissa chuckled and glanced at Roxanne teasingly.

- No wonder why Roxy talked about you like you were a knight. - Roxanne blushed and Jeremy laughed.

- That is for another reason. - and he told to their friend the way they met for the second time with Roxanne. After dinner the girls stayed in the kitchen to wash plates. But this was just a nice cover for them to gossip a little. Jeremy walked out to the balcony with Rico. They both had a drink in their hands. Rico glanced back and when he saw that the girls were out of sight he hugged Jeremy almost breaking his bones.

- I'm glad to see you too dude but you act like you were my secret lover! - Jeremy said and Rico released him.

- I hope you agree with me that this situation is bizarre! - Jeremy shrugged.

- A little.

- So... Are you and Roxy? - Rico asked and Jeremy shook his head.

- I'm head over hills for her Rico, just like I've been for the last almost four years now. But she doesn't know about it.

- Why don't you tell her the truth?

- Ahana suggested the same. I've been thinking about this for weeks now, but I don't think it's a good idea. After we get rid of Damon, she can have a normal life.

- I don't want to be the one who busts your bubble, but dude, you are a human. She can have a normal life with you! - Jeremy's eyes opened wide.

- You have a point, but what if her memories come back?

- Then, you two will have a long and uncomfortable conversation.

- I want to be with her, but I don't want to ruin everything. She trusts me and if she finds out the truth I'll lose her. It eats me up, but I prefer to be a friend for her, than to lost her completely.

- I don't think that's going to work. - Rico said and took a sip of his drink.

- What do you mean?

- Come on Jeremy! You are not a wolf anymore but you aren't deaf either. We heard both of your hearts almost jumping out of your chests! I shouldn't be the one to talk about this. - before Jeremy could say another word Roxanne popped up behind them.

- Hey! Is everything okay here? - she asked a little worried and Rico smiled.

- Yeah, we were just bonding. I'll go and check on my baby. - Rico walked in and Roxanne giggled.

- They can't be alone for more than ten minutes. It is so cheesy, but sweet at the same time. Rico and Clarissa are together for years now.

- How did they met? - Jeremy asked and Roxanne hang her head down.

- I know this is shameful, but I have no idea. A few months are blurry. Clarissa said I had a car accident and this causes my memory loss from that time. - Jeremy's fingers locked harder on his glass. This was the cover story Clarissa and Rico presented to Roxanne after Ahana brought her back to life. Car accident... Suddenly the image of the falling Roxanne into her death came into Jeremy's mind. He couldn't help and caught his hand to his chest. Roxanne noticed and got worried.

- Oh, my God! Jerry are you okay? - Jeremy hissed in pain. Something wasn't right he felt and excruciating pain. Roxanne rushed inside and came back with Rico by her corner.

- Hey dude! Are you okay? - he asked and their eyes met. Rico immediately grabbed Jeremy from under his shoulder and helped him to lay down.

- What is happening? - Roxanne asked and she was worried. Rico shared an uneasy look with Clarissa and he said.

- Call Ahana.