Chapter 10
1066 Words
Sam
Blissful glee was not a masculine term, but there was no other phrase that could describe how I felt as I walked through the crowded square outside the pack house. I barely noticed the pack members going about their business. Scarlett had ordered seeds in bulk before she was kidnapped and all the families were excited about the gardens they had planted. Some already had radishes and early lettuce popping up. Normally the excited buzz would be a welcomed distraction, but there was nothing I wanted my attention stolen from anymore. I had a singular mission and I planned to start today.
Once inside, I headed past Joshua's office. His door stood open and I shook my head lightly at the large stacks of books and documents still littering every flat surface. It was chaos.
Pushing my own office door open, the stark difference between us came to light. He had a mate to keep him distracted all night, and I had a mate I needed to be distracted from. The organization of this room made that glaringly obvious. Books were neatly stored away and my desk was clear with the exception of my laptop and a small bin for incoming paperwork. I headed to the worn leather chair in the corner. I had brought the side table from my room at my parent's cottage which belonged to my maternal grandfather. He had been a Gamma like my father and had made the table with a secret we didn’t discover until after his death. He had been secretly sneaking children out of the pack because of the horrible excuse of an Alpha Joshua’s grandfather had been. There was a hidden compartment in the back of the stand where he kept records of whose children they were and where they went. Our family kept this secret until after Joshua took over. Those documents now sat in the safe in the Alpha office alongside the papers from Joshua’s father of which pack women he had sold or exchanged. It was a confusing generational puzzle that we would have to completely bring to light eventually.
I lifted the arm on the record player and let the needle fall, reclining back in the chair for a moment and allowing my mind to wander, thinking of how amazing Kristi felt in my arms while smooth jazz notes floated in the air.
“I expected you to come back with at least a little blood on you.” Joshua’s sarcastic tone cut through the music as he leaned against the door frame.
“Mine or someones else's? I’m trying to decide if that’s an insult and I should draw some from you.”
A smile broke across his face, and he came in and stood next to the window overlooking the woods. I was thankful not to have an office facing the square. I much preferred nature.
“I didn’t even make it to their territory. I found her just outside ours. Obviously, we didn’t talk, but she had blood on her and it wasn’t hers. I feel certain whoever decided to touch her met their fate.”
I stood and walked to my desk, pulling the chair out and sitting down before opening my laptop.
“So what’s your next move since you aren’t with her now?”
“She gave pretty clear instructions. You were there to hear them. I need to learn sign language. So that’s what I’m going to do.”
I typed beginner ASL into the search engine and found several YouTube channels dedicated to my mission.
“Well, you aren’t the only one who needs to learn, so I may have taken the liberty of setting something up.”
Joshua finally turned away from the window as he said the words and headed to the office door. He stood for a moment half turned to me with a smile still plastered on his face.
“You coming?”
I gave him a questioning look, but stood, pushing in my chair and following him down the hall. We went past his office and the dining hall to the sitting room at the front of the house. When we walked in, I saw my parents and Scarlett sitting on the sectional. Joshua headed over to his mate and kissed her forehead. It was the first time I was seeing her since the night we rescued her. I say we loosely since I pretty much went on a rampage, but nevertheless, she was here safely once again. My attention was grabbed though, by the bouncing pink form at the front of the room. Dressed as if she were a porcelain doll, Rose rocked between her toes and her heels with her hands clasped in front of her small frame and she almost shook as she looked at me with bright eyes and an infectious smile.
“So you’re going to be my brother?” She squealed. “I’ve always wanted one.”
With that, she ran at me, and I was thankful to get my arms open before she jumped into them. Her tiny arms wrapped around my neck and I couldn’t help the joy it brought me.
“Thanks for loving Kristi.” She said. “Isn’t she amazing?!”
“She is.” I agreed, setting the child back to her feet.
“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you before. But mom explained what mates really are and now I know that you are going to protect her. Mom said I can even go with you to see her sometimes!” She exclaimed.
I gave Scarlett a look of gratitude as the little girl took my hand and led me to the couch, having me sit next to my mother who rubbed my back. My father looked like he had recovered from me throwing him earlier and I gave him an apologetic nod. He smiled back and I was thankful to have such amazing parents.
“So let’s begin.” Rose sang out as she clapped her hands in front of us.
“Begin what?” I asked.
“Welcome to my ASL School. I am Rose and I’ll be teaching you today.” She tried to get out through giggles.
I felt bad at that moment for being angry with this group and for doubting their support. Life was starting to look a little better.
- Writer
