Abducted

~ Chapter 12 ~

Alyssa POV

Today is the second last day of the school year, finally. It feels like this day took forever to come. Tomorrow is also my last day of grounding, so I will be able to enjoy the parties and bonfire this weekend to celebrate the end of the school year. It will also mean more of my friends will be graduating.

Alex and Alexis have both been absent from school this week, so I am surprised to see them when I get on the bus in the morning to go to school. They are sitting together in the middle of the bus and talking quietly. I make my way up the aisle toward them and get Alexis’ phone out of my bag on the way. They were so engrossed in their conversation when I got to them that they did not even realize I was there. I cleared my throat,

“Sorry to interrupt. I figured you might want this back.” I held out Alexis’ phone toward her. “I put it on silent. You have a few messages to check.” She snatched her phone from my hands quickly and looked at the screen.

“Lucky for me, most of them are from my mom and I’ve already talked to her.” Alexis said as she scrolled through the messages.

“I’ll let you two get back to your conversation. See ya later!” I turned to go to my seat on the bus that I shared with Madison. She was already there waiting for me. My phone chirped as I made my way to my seat. I pulled it out when I got there.

Alexis: Thanks for having my back on Monday.

Alexis: PS, you were right!

Madison looked at my screen and asked,

“She texted you from three seats away? You were just talking to her” She laughed and shook her head. “What were you right about?”

“That Alex and Alexis are mates.” I replied quietly. I did not know how many people knew yet, but I knew it would not stay a secret for long. “Speaking of mates…..” I looked at Madison and said quietly.

“Shhh, not so loud!” Madison whisper yelled back. “We haven’t told anyone yet. You and Ben are the only ones who know.”

“You haven’t even told your parents?” I asked. “Are they even a little bit suspicious?”

“My mom is starting to ask questions. Xander has been over a lot since we found out. Flint and Topaz are restless when we are not near each other. We need figure out something soon.” Madison whispered.

“Mads, I’m pretty sure you know what you need to do.” I told her.

“Yeah, I know, but it’s not that simple.” Madison said and looked down at her lap. “It…it’s a big step, and someone is going to be hurt.”

The bus pulled up in front of the school and Stefanie jumped up from the seat in front of us and ran for the front of the bus. Madison looked at me with wide eyes, knowing that Stefanie had been listening to our conversation.

“I’ll find her and talk to her.” I told Madison. “She will be upset, but she will understand. You are Xander’s mate, not her.”

“I hope so. I knew she would be crushed; she really did want Xander to be her mate.”

Stefanie managed to avoid us for the rest of the day, and she was not on the bus home after school. I went up to the packhouse when we got home to see if she would talk to me. Luna Cassia told me that she came home from school early and locked herself in her room. She has not come out and will not talk to anyone. I ended up going back home and hanging out with Ben and Brett instead.

Before I went to bed that night, I pulled out the notebook I had started from its hiding place in my room to record some new information.

Alexis confirmed today that Alex is her mate. IMPORTANT: Alex does not turn 18 until December. Why did he change early too? – very strange!!!

I added to the writing already written there. As I put the notebook back in its hiding place, a thought popped in my head that made me stop and pull it out again. Why is Kelsey so interested in what is happening with my group of friends? It is almost as if she is trying to confirm something. I opened the notebook again and wrote:

***Need to look into The Six*** - Kelsey’s constant questions are strange, but they seem targeted to seeking specific information. What is she really after?

My mind was racing as I put the notebook away. This weekend I needed to start digging.

*****

When I woke up Saturday morning, I was excited for the upcoming evening. It was the annual end of school year barbecue. I was always a great celebration and I looked forward to it every year. It was still early in the morning, and I knew Luna Cassia would need help with prep. I picked up my phone and checked it just as I was leaving my bedroom. I had several unread messages and missed phone calls from both Madison, Stefanie and Xander. This was not going to be good.

I scrolled to the bottom of my unread messages and started there. There were a lot of them.

Madison: Stef hates me. She’s never going to talk to me again. I don’t know what to do”

Madison: I hate that you’re going to be stuck in the middle. Are you going to pick sides?

Stefanie: You knew and didn’t tell me?

Madison: This is a huge mess.

Stefanie: How long have you known? The entire time? Who else knows?

Xander: Is Maddy talking to you? She won’t answer me, and I’m worried I did something wrong.

Madison: All I want to do is be with Xander ☹

Stefanie: Can I even trust you anymore?

Xander: ??? Are you ignoring me too?

I needed to figure out what to do. I could not let my friends continue to be upset with each other over this. Mate bonds were not to be messed with. I texted Xander back first.

Me: I’m not ignoring you. I just got your messages. I’m trying to figure out what is going on. I’ll let you know if I find anything out.

Xander: Cool.

As for Stef and Mads, I had no idea where to start. It was not going to be fun being in the middle of all of this. About fifteen minutes later an idea hit me. I quickly sent a group text to Alexis and Amanda.

Me: Hey, do you guys know what is going on?

Alexis: I have an idea but not completely sure.

Amanda: No idea. But it is not ok. There is so much tension. You could cut it with a knife.

Me: Ok, I’ll make it quick. Madison and Xander are mates. Stefanie is upset because she just found out and isn’t talking to people. I’m stuck in the middle and had a thought.

Amanda: Wait…. What?

Alexis: I thought so. Xander and Madison have been acting strangely lately. What are you thinking Alyssa.

Me: I’m thinking we get all of us girls to the old clubhouse in the forest and hash it out. If the five of us are there I think it will be better than just three.

Alexis: I’m in! Just tell me when.

Amanda: Me too! I think the sooner the better.

Me: Ok, can you guys head there ASAP and let me know when you’re there? Maybe bring a couple blankets to sit on and some drinks and snacks?

Alexis: I’ve got the drinks and snacks covered.

Amanda: I’ll grab blankets then.

Me: Ok. I’ll work on Madison and Stefanie.

I felt better knowing I was not the only one who could help with this now that Amanda and Alexis knew what was going on. Now I just had to figure out how to get both Stefanie and Madison to the clubhouse without the other knowing they were going to be there. Since Madison had her wolf, it made the most sense to get her to go there first. If I sent Stefanie first, Madison would be able to pick up her fresh scent on the path and might not show up.

Me: Hey Mads, just got your messages. How are you doing this morning?

Madison: Not good. I didn’t sleep last night. I want to be with Xander so badly right now. Topaz is driving me up the wall.

Me: I understand. Have you talked to him at all?

Madison: No. He keeps texting, but I know if I answer that I’ll break and go see him. I just want to feel his touch.

Me: Ok. Well, how about we hang out at the old clubhouse in the woods today? Maybe some girl time with help?

Madison: Ok. What time?

Me: How about I meet you at your house in fifteen minutes and we walk there together?

Madison: Sound good. See you soon.

Ok, that gives me about ten minutes to text Stefanie to get her to meet me at the clubhouse. Amanda texts me to let me know that she is with Alexis, and they’ll be at the clubhouse in five minutes and will set up inside. This is working out perfectly.

Me: Hey Stef, how are you doing today?

Stefanie: How do you think I’m doing? Am I the last one to find out? You were all keeping it from me?

Me: No, it’s not like that. Xander and Madison wanted to tell you in their own time. They just didn’t know how. They didn’t want to hurt you.

Stefanie: Well, they failed. I got hurt anyway.

Me: Yeah. I’m sorry for that. I should have encouraged them to tell you right away.

Stefanie: It would have been better. I don’t know how I’m going to face anyone now. The packhouse is full of people prepping for the bonfire and I don’t want to be around anyone.

Me: Well, how about you and I hang out at the old clubhouse in the forest today? That way there won’t be any people around.

Stefanie: Ok. It will take me a few minutes to get out of the packhouse without being seen.

Me: That’s ok. How about we meet at the clubhouse in 30 minutes or so?

Stefanie: Sounds good. See you in half an hour!

The plan to get Madison and Stefanie in the same place to talk was coming together well. Now we just had to get them to the clubhouse without them figuring it out. I met Madison at her house and we started the short walk to the clubhouse. It was a nice sunny day today. Not too hot and the humidity was low. The shade of the forest was perfect for keeping some of the heat at bay. We walked to the clubhouse without talking. I could tell Madison was uncomfortable and still upset. As we approached the door to the clubhouse, Madison stopped and asked,

“Why are Alexis and Amanda inside?”

“It’s a girls day! We are going to hang out. Just the girls. Away from all the drama.” Madison gave me a look that said I was crazy before she gave our secret knock on the door an went inside. Now we just needed Stefanie to arrive, and we could get this girls day officially underway.

“I forgot to grab something. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” I say as I go back outside and start heading back down the path toward home to meet Stefanie on her way. I walked until I could hear her not far away then turned back around and walked at a slower pace back toward the clubhouse so she would catch up to me.

“Alyssa, wait up!” I hear Stefanie call out from behind me after a minute or so. I stopped and turned. I gave her a big smile and waved. When she caught up with me, I gave her a big hug. She looped her arm through mine, and we walked the rest of the way back to the clubhouse together. When we got there, she did the secret knock and walked through the door. It is a good thing I was behind her. As soon as she saw Madison inside, she turned and tried to leave.

“Let me out Alyssa.” She looked at me with sad, pleading eyes. I put my hands on here shoulders.

“I’m sorry, I can’t do that. Both of you are hurting right now and need to work through this. We are all here to support both of you.” I told her. Madison was sitting against the far wall listening and staring at the ground.

“I can’t. Not right now. I’m too embarrassed. It hurts too much!” Stef whispered.

“Embarrassed? Why are you feeling embarrassed?” Madison asked quietly. She could hear Stefanie’s whisper from across the clubhouse with her wolf hearing.

“How could I not be embarrassed? I’ve been throwing myself at Xander for months, not realizing that he isn’t interested because he found his mate. How did I not pick up on that?” Stefanie says. Her voice rising to a yell by the end. We all sat quietly for a couple minutes no knowing how to respond. The longer the silence went, the more the tension in the air lessened.

“We really didn’t mean to hurt you Stef. We just didn’t know how to tell you. The only one who knew at all was Alyssa and we asked her not to say anything because we wanted to tell you once we figured out how.” Madison explained.

“So, you all really didn’t know?” Stefanie asked Alexis and Amanda.

“No, we found out this morning when Ally filled us in and asked us to come here today.” Amanda answered. Stefanie looked around then back down at the ground, tears rolling down her cheek. A broken-hearted sob wracked her body and she fell to her knees. Madison ran to her and wrapped her arms around her. Holding her until her sobs slowed. Alexis, Amanda and I went over and wrapped both of them between us.

“I know it’s not your fault. You didn’t do this on purpose. It’s the mate bond. I can’t be upset that you are bonded to Xander.” Stefanie told Madison quietly. “It just hurts because I like him so much.”

“I understand.” Madison replied. “We didn’t plan for this to happen. I liked someone else before I found him too. Those feelings went away immediately when I found Xander. So, I know they will for you too when you find your mate.”

“I guess so. I’ll get over this eventually. It just hurts to see you together.” Stef says.

“I’ll make you a promise right now. I promise that Xander and I will try to not be too in your face with our bond.” Madison states.

“Ok.” Stef says. “I don’t want to go back yet. I’m going to stay at the clubhouse for a while I think.”

“Um duh!” Alexis says with a smile on her face. “It’s girls day! We have snacks!”

And with that the tension in the air completely evaporates and I spend the rest of the morning and afternoon with my best girl friends and we all have a great time.