Second chances and new starts

CHAPTER 9

Raya.

Hearing that Rose told her everything, which means that Henry, the Alpha, the beta and probably his wife will also know leaves me fuming. It also brings back old memories that I have been trying to forget.

Being told my family was dead. Seeing their bodies. Having the Alpha test me over and over to see if I had my mum's power. His disappointment and frustration when he realised I didn’t. Then being abandoned by my pack. He had just gotten the timing wrong. Her mother's gift manifested at 10, so when the pack saw that she didn’t have the same power, they lost the last speck of interest they had in her. In spite of that, on her 13th birthday, she woke up to find that her gift wasn’t absent, just delayed. For a moment she had considered telling the alpha. But remembering how they treated her squashed that thought quick smart. She was going to use it only for herself. She had kept it quiet all this time. Rose didn’t even know. It’s not like it was all powerful or anything. All it was, was an advanced warning signal. It just gave you a few advanced hours notice that a big attack was going to happen. So unless you are in danger from more than 10 wolves, it’s not worth thinking about. Even though Mum had told them and they were prepared, she still died. They all died. I hear a gentle knock on the door. I know she didn’t mean to hurt me, but I’m not ready to forgive her yet. It was my pain, my story. She had no right to rip open my scars and reveal my wounds to those people. After a while, I hear the soft padding as her bare feet hit the ground and she walks away. I don’t leave my room, not even to eat. I stay in my cocoon and try to figure out my next move. I’m guessing Carla knew something would be up, so I don’t have a shift, neither does Rose. I think about how many people now know about us. Even though they have this information, if our former pack shows up..... we will be returned. That is an undeniable fact. We cannot appeal to them using our past, because the safety of the pack always comes first. Sacrifices. Acceptable losses. Reality once again gives me a sucker punch.

I spend the rest of the night sulking and complaining in my mind. Once the sun rises, I will forgive Rose. My anger faded hours ago. It’s just the principle of the thing. She should have talked to me first.... but in the end, I know that she did it because she thought it was the safest option. And I reluctantly agree with that. However long we stay, if they come for us, this pack might give us a head start. As I mindlessly stare out the window and watch the sky start to brighten and turn a pale purple and pink, followed by the brilliant blue of a crystal clear sky, I get up and head downstairs. Rose is in the kitchen. Making multiple breakfast foods. She looks like she got as much sleep as I did. She spins around as she hears me, walks over and throws her arms around my neck. “I’m sorry" she quietly mumbles. My shoulders lift and lower with a sigh as I pat her back a few times. “just.... don’t do It again. Talk to me first. “

A bright smile adds a twinkle to her eyes and she skips back to the stove. Breakfast passes in comfortable silence. Everything that needed to be said was done so. She borrows my laptop and starts to read. She has started reading light novels in her spare time.

Rose

As I settle down on the couch with Raya's laptop, I open the browser and find where I last left off. Aside from compulsory books in school, I’ve never been allowed to read. I am enjoying it immensely. The colourful characters and fantasy worlds are almost hypnotic in their ability to transport me away. The one I am reading now is about an adventurer who is travelling around learning magic with a werewolf sidekick. It’s so funny how they describe the werewolf. She is this adorable puppy type that always has her ears and tail out. As I get lost in the worst, I am abruptly interrupted by a knock on the down. Raya opens it and even if I couldn’t see who it was, just by the way she reacted, I could tell. It was Henry. Her mate.

Henry

“Hi. Umm, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to have a look around the woods? I can show you the best places to leave your clothes and where you might want to avoid? Are you free?” My eyes feast on her as I try not to be too obvious with my staring. She is just so..... magnificent. Beautiful. Mesmerising. Incredible. Knowing about her past only makes me more intrigued and entranced by her.

Raya

I don’t know what I am supposed to do. Every instinct I have is telling me to jump him. My wolf isn’t helping either. She is completely head over heels for him already. I turn to Rose and find out that she has no intention on helping me get out of this. “I think that’s a good idea. Raya, you should go and later on you can show me.” She says it with a sweet smile. I turn back to Henry and think of something I can say to delay him, even if for only a minute. “You know, you are letting us stay here. But no one has actually told what your pack so called. “

He sheepishly replies “oops. It kind of slipped all our minds.” He scratches his head. “We are the Angi pack. It means fire and protector of humanity. “

“oh. Ok. “ Raya shrugs and walks off

Henry

He is a little startled and tilts his head. Is that it? He wonders. Well, at least she is starting to be interested in all this. He tries to think positive while coming up with ways to entice his mate. “So, do you want to head off?”

Raya

“fine. Wait here.” I then shut the door. Keeping him on the outside. “That was rude.” Rose remarks. I shrug and jog up the stairs. I wash my face, change into some casual clothes and sneakers and head out. He is still standing where I left him and I almost bump into him as I close the door. “woah" he calls out, his arms coming up to steady me. The moment his hands touch my skin, tingles start travelling around my body. I see his eyes darken and recognise that he is feeling the same thing. I slip out of his grasp and start walking to the woods. He jogs after me and tries to make conversation as we go. I answer.... sort of. Mostly yes, no or a series of noises. But nothing deters him.

We reach the edge of the trees and he shows me a few hollows that are dry and clean. High enough that animals won’t nest in them, but low enough that they are easy to access. As he takes off his shirt, my eyes become glued to his back. His muscles ripple as he places away and bends over for his shoes and socks. I can’t help locking onto his tight butt. My face flushes and I quickly turn away and move behind a tree. I get undressed as if I am in a timed trial and shift.

Henry

I can feel my mate’s eyes on my. And from the sound of her breathing and the faint scent of arousal, it seems like she isn’t as indifferent as she pretends. I try to hide the giant smile on my face as I complete my own transformation. We head off and I am impressed by how fast she is. As a future Alpha, I am hereditarily bigger, stronger and faster than other wolves. However, she is keeping up with my pace without showing strain. I show her my favourite spots and we chase a rabbit for a while. It’s a great date. Not that I will tell her that.