The Ember in the Storm

Chapter 12: Telling the truth

Chapter 12

Jed and I walked back over to our friends, they were still cuddled up together on the blocks of wood. Whispering to each other, when they heard us approach they all looked up toward us expectantly. We both smiled at everyone. Jed stepped forward before asking "Would you ladies want to join us at our home, we have a lot of stuff we need to discuss." The girls stood up, pulling the men up behind them. "Sure, if Autumn is feeling up to it." They said in unison. I laughed at their excitement. "Sure, but how do we get there? Did you guys all drive?" All three of them laugh. "Nope, we ran here." Jed says with a twinkle in his eyes. I smile, knowing exactly what they mean. "Well, I have a Suburban that we can drive. It seats 9 people." Jax looks shocked. "You drive a big huge tank, especially in those boots. How in the hell did you manage that?" I laughed before replying "Follow me and you shall learn a thing or two."

We started heading for my Suburban. As we get closer to it, the guys ‘mouths all drop open as they see the beautiful beast up close. All three guys ask in unison "Did you buy her like this? She is gorgeous!" I smiled and laughed as I shook my head. "I bought her for $500. She was falling apart when I got her. I've done all the work myself. That included the motor, transmission, interior and the paint." I proudly said before I pat her hood. "Her name is Charlie" The guys looked flabbergasted. Jed looks at me with a proud look on his face before asking "Is there any way you would allow me to drive her to our place?" I cough "Do you know how to handle something this big? She is my baby and if you hurt her anyway, don't think I won't kick your ass!" Jed held up his hand "Scouts honor, I promise I won't damage her."

We all climb in, Jed and I in the front, and everyone else in the middle with the girls sitting on the guy's laps. We get back on the main road and go through town until we get to the other end and turn down a dirt road. I've been on this road before, but the next road he takes us down I have never seen, it’s almost as if it appeared out of nowhere. He leads us down it before stopping at a huge gate that says SLP. The gate opens and we pass through. I can see shadows moving through the woods.

We continue to drive through the canopy of trees, down the graveled road. We hit the end of the tree line and we saw a few little houses dotted around, similar to a miniature town. As we get closer to the center, before us stands an absolutely huge cathedral-looking building with 7 floors from what I can see, it looks to be made up of grey stone, pointed arches, and stained-glass windows. It is the most beautiful and regal looking building I have ever seen. It looks identical to something you would find in a fairy tale book.

Jed parks the Suburban in front of the gothic cathedral. “We’re here, this is where we live.” Jed says. “What, you guys live here? Is this the school that you guys go to?” Misty asks in a shocked voice. I’m surprised that Tyler isn’t asking a billion questions, she actually doesn’t seem very surprised at all….she almost looks comfortable and as if she already knows everything that goes on here. Jax hugs Misty close. “Yep, this is where we live. Would you like to come in and see it? I think everything is going to be explained here in a bit.” Jax goes to get out of the Suburban and pulls Misty with him. The rest of us followed close behind.

Jax opens to door to show Misty inside is huge inside and actually very modern looking compared to what you would assume given what the outside looks like. Jed pulls me forward ahead of everyone and stops at the bottom of the stairs. “How about we go up to the first floor, that’s where the offices are and we can talk there. Autumn has something she wants to discuss with all of us.”

We all head up the stairs and stop in front of an oak door with the name Alpha Jed burned into the wood. Misty goes to ask. “Alp..?” when Jed pushes the door open and ushers us all into the room. It’s gorgeous in here, very masculine and inviting. The room is wood tones and forest greens and greys, I feel at home. He ushers us to the huge sectional couch in the room. We are safe to talk here. The room is completely sound proof. “Why does the room need to be sound proof?” Misty questions. “That is actually what we are all here to discuss. How about we all have a seat? I’ll send for some refreshments and we can go ahead and start while we are waiting for those.” Jed tells everyone.

Jed looked at me, and then around the room at everyone else before coming back to me. “Do you want to start with what you found out today, or do you want me to explain everything else first, Autumn?” Jed waited expectantly. I thought for a minute….”I think my friends would handle it better if I went first and then we could get into the full details of everything else. If that works for you and everyone else?” I took a deep breath before continuing “My beautiful, lovely friends. You guys know you are practically my sisters…”Misty interrupts “Autumn, your scaring us!” I laugh “I’m sorry, Misty, I don’t mean to. I’m still wrapping my head around the whole thing. But you know all the stories we like to read, all the tales we’ve been told? Witches, vampires, werewolves and all the other things that go bump in the night? I just found out that they are all real, they are not made-up stories. I’m one of them, I’m a werewolf!” I stopped and waited for everyone’s reactions. I look at Tyler. She looked relieved and almost giddy. Misty looked like we were playing a joke on her.

“What the hell are you talking about Autumn? Did you get a spiked drink or something? Because you’re not making any sense, those things aren’t real, you can’t be a werewolf.” Misty shakes her head before standing up “I think it’s time we all left!” Jax goes to grab her hand and pulls her back down and soothing says “Sunshine, it’s all true and we can prove it, but I think we should hear the rest of what Autumn has to say first.” Misty shakes her head, but leans back and crosses her arms.

I leaned forward and grabbed Misty’s hands. “When have you ever known me to lie, but let me start from when this all began. Will you at least stay and listen, let the guys show you the proof, before you make any judgements?” Misty nods her head. I lean back against Jed and start from the beginning.