Who am I?

Do they hate me?

Micah finally came back and had me released. The doctor gave me very specific instructions, which included plenty of rest. I guess the silver took more out of me than I thought. I fell asleep in Micah’s car. I finally woke when I felt the gentle hum of the car stop. I looked and saw that we weren’t stopped in front of my house, but a different one entirely. It was a two-story house, painted white with black shutters and a red door. The front yard was beautiful. A weeping willow stood on one side. The driveway held two cars, both of which I recognized. It was my car and my mom’s.

“Why is my mom here?” I asked. Micah grinned at me. I hopped out of his car and ran to my mother. She hugged me tightly and then looked at my arm.

“What happened to your arm baby?” She asked.

“I cut it. Why are you here? Do you know what I am?” I asked. Why was she hiding this from me?

“We knew as soon as you were attacked by one at the age of five.” She answered, not looking me in the eyes.

“What? You knew? You allowed me to shift alone?” I took a step back from her. She still couldn’t look me in the eyes. I couldn’t believe it. They knew. They let me stay up all those nights when I contemplated suicide because I was scared of what I was. Why? So they didn’t have to admit that they had an abnormal freak for a daughter?

“No...” I whispered. I pulled myself back and, without a thought to whose house it was, ran inside. I ran upstairs and into the first room I found. I locked myself in. I sat against the door and allowed myself to cry.

I smelled him outside the door. His scent was soothing. I opened my eyes and saw it was a bedroom I had stumbled into. The large king-sized bed was partially unmade, the deep green comforter hanging sloppily to one side. The room was a modest size with hardwood floors, off-white paint on the walls, and an attached bathroom. My eyes widened. This was Micah’s bedroom. His scent was all over this room. I heard a knock on the door behind me.

“Charlie, babe? You okay?” Micah asked softly. His voice was even soothing.

“How could they just keep this from me?” I asked, starting to cry again. I heard the lock click behind me and felt myself being pushed across the floor as the door opened. I heard the door shut and felt him pull me into his arms. I instinctively turned toward him, taking in his scent, touching his arm, relaxing me.

“Shh,” He soothed, rubbing my back. We stayed like that for a few minutes.

“Why didn’t they help me? I tried to commit suicide… I thought I was a freak...” I sobbed. I felt him stiffen.

“When?” He asked.

“Three months ago. They knew. They could have helped me.” I said quietly. He continued to rub my back.

“I know it’s a lot to take in, but will you stay with me? I can help you learn about what you are.” He asked, pulling away from me to look down at me.

“You’d do that for me?” I asked, gazing into his hazel eyes.

“Of course. You’re my mate. I’d do anything for you, babe.” He whispered, burying his head in my hair. I smiled.

“My mate...” I whispered. I was still confused but knew with all my being that Micah would help me.

I went outside after a little while to find my car there and my mom’s gone. I grabbed the faded green duffle bag out that my mom had apparently packed for me. It wasn’t all my belongings, but I was nowhere near ready to go and face my parents to get the rest of my things. I walked back into the house and realized that I wasn’t sure where I was supposed to be staying. I didn’t know what the customs were. Was it weird to just move into the Alpha’s house? Mate or not, that seemed weird. I decided to go find Micah and ask.

I set my duffle bag down by the door and walked down the hallway. This wasn’t a normal house, it looked bigger. The hallway opened into a sizable living room. There was a flat-screen TV on one wall with a shelf under it. There had to be at least four sofas in here. Leather. There was a huge round coffee table that was made of dark wood. Off to the right was another hallway. Stepping through, I could see five or six doors. I opened one. Bedrooms. I looked through the living room and saw the same thing mirrored on the other side. What was this place? I turned around and ran into someone.

“Sorry,” I mumbled. I looked up and saw a guy I didn’t know. He was around 22 and just a little taller than me, extremely fit with tanned skin and gray eyes. His blonde hair was cut short. He looked down and grinned at me. His teeth were white and straight.

“No need to apologize. Name’s David. What about you, gorgeous?” He asked, placing a hand on my shoulder. It felt weird. I didn’t hate being touched or anything, but that paired with him calling me gorgeous didn’t sit right with me.

“Charlie,” I said uncomfortably. I went to shake his hand off my shoulder, but he gripped it tighter.

“Charlie. You look lost.” He said slowly, looking into my eyes. Everything in me was telling me to run.

“Yeah… I’m new. I was looking for the Alpha...” I said. I wasn’t sure if Micah wanted everyone to know about our relationship just yet. I shifted uncomfortably under David’s gaze.

“That’s why I haven’t seen you around before. Why are you looking for Alpha Micah? I could just show you around.” He said, steering me down the hallway to one of the bedrooms. This wasn’t right. My heart rate started to pick up. I needed to get out now. I ducked out of his grip.

“I really need to find Micah,” I said, turning and quickly walking the way we came.

“See you around, gorgeous.” He smirked. I shuddered. What the hell was up with him? I kept walking until I found the nearest bathroom. I turned on the sink and splashed cold water on my face. It felt calming. I could still feel David’s gaze on me. I’d been in this pack for all of a day and I already had too much-unwanted attention. I took a few deep breaths before stepping out of the bathroom.

“Charlie, there you are! Micah’s looking for you.” Cole called, putting a hand on my shoulder. I jumped, not expecting it. At least I knew Cole.

“What is this place?” I asked, looking around.

“This is the packhouse. It’s kind of like a hang-out place. Has extra bedrooms and also holds Micah’s office. Micah and I live here as well.” He grins down at me. I nod, wondering if David’s staying here too. The thought makes me shudder. If Cole noticed, he didn’t say anything. He guided me through the kitchen into a small back area with a door. The door had a gold nameplate that read Alpha Micah Wood. Cole knocked lightly and I heard Micah’s voice call us to enter. Cole opened the door to the office.

It was a medium-sized office with dark brown walls and light hardwood floors. The desk that sat in the middle of the room looked to be the same wood as the floors. It looked heavy and old. Two armchairs sat across from the desk and looked relatively new. There was a computer on the desk. The chair Micah sat in was large and deep green.

“Hi Charlie.” Micah looked up from his paperwork. I smiled at him. I don’t think I’d ever get tired of looking at him.

“Hey Micah, you know I can’t go home. Where am I supposed to stay?” I asked.

“Well, there are plenty of bedrooms down here. Only one of them is being used by one of our warriors while his house is being rebuilt. You could always come upstairs and stay with me.” He winked. I blushed. I knew we were mates, but I wasn’t sure if I was quite ready to share a room with him yet.

“I know how new this all is, so I’ll show you to a room downstairs. We’ll take it at your pace babe. You will need to finish out school, part of the law. You can also continue to work.” He said, smiling softly at me. He was so understanding. He walked with me to the front door to retrieve my bag and led me to one of the bedrooms closest to the stairs. It was a little smaller than Micah’s bedroom. It had eggshell-colored walls with dark wood floors. The queen-sized bed had a red and black comforter with white sheets. In one corner there was a tall dresser. Micah put my bag down behind me.

“I’ll let you get settled. My bedroom is just upstairs. Will you meet me for dinner?” He asked, stepping closer to me. His scent surrounded me. I wrapped my arms around his waist.

“Of course,” I murmured. He kissed the top of my head.

“I’ll come to grab you around six.” He left reluctantly. I laid down on the bed, blissfully happy. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be able to keep myself in this bedroom. I just wanted to be around him. Is this what having a soulmate was like? Is this why I’d been attracted to him since I first met him three and a half years ago? I decided to put my things away.