Hunted

Chapter 23: Strange Noises and Trust Falls

Ever since Colton took me to his favorite spot, the shifter has been coming over to my house just about every single day. I’m sure it’s because he was worried about me since he knew about the notes. It was really kind and sweet. I liked that he was worried about me. He would hang out and we would play games. We spent a lot of time talking about things that we liked and didn’t like.

It didn’t feel weird being with him…I felt comfortable and safe which was nearly a first for me. I just didn’t understand. I know that he got a letter and that he was worried about me..but something seemed hidden. It was like he was hiding a big thing from me and it made me nervous. I really liked Colton. He made me smile but what was he hiding?  

I had just finished my session with Dr. Colleen when she called my father into his office. I was going to eaves drop by the door but then I heard the knock. I went downstairs and opened the door and saw Hope.

“I was not expecting it to be you!” I smiled and gave my cousin a small hug. I could tell she was shocked by her lack of hugging me back. I pulled back and opened the door for her. “Come on in. Why did you knock?” I laughed and went to the living room. Hope followed me, she was obviously trying to not say anything about the hug but her face showed her confusion.  

“Who were you expecting?” She asked plopping down next to me on the couch.

“Colton. He’s come by every day since the notes. He hasn’t stopped by today yet.” I smiled and shrugged.

“You like that he’s coming by..” Hope asked with a smirk on her face.

“I didn’t say that…I just..okay yeah I do but something feels off. I feel like he’s hiding something from me. “

“Everyone has secrets Emmry. You know that.” Hope gave me a look and I sighed.

“I understand that… I do… I also understand wanting to hide things.” I was very good at hiding my feelings. I had decided during my session with Dr. Colleen today that I was going to tell Hope about what happened to me. I knew there was a possibility she was already told but I thought she deserved to hear it from me.

“You don’t have to hide things from me Emmry…we’re family.” Hope smiled a little and gave my knee a pat.

“Yeah I um I’m actually glad you came over. I wanna…there’s something I didn’t tell you.” I couldn’t look over at her. I just started picking at my pants.

“You don’t have to…” Hope’s words said one thing but her tone said the opposite.

“I know but…I trust you and I want you to know.” I sighed and kept my gaze on my knees. “When I was 15 I was walking home from school. It was one of the only times my mom let me go to a pack school. While I was on my way home I was jumped by a shifter. He tackled me to the ground. I hit my head at some point so I couldn’t see his face..everything was so fuzzy. Then he..well there’s no nice term for it because it isn’t a nice thing but he r***d me. While he did it he told me he loved me and that we were mates and that I was meant to be his forever. He told me that no matter where I went he would be there.” I was gripping the edge of the couch by the time I had finished. I was pretty proud of myself. I got through the whole story without crying or stopping.

“Emmry…” Hope started.

“Please don’t…it’s…I don’t know the I’m sorry. It happened a long time ago and I’m still dealing with the after effects but I have learned that it isn’t your fault or my fault so saying sorry…you don’t need to. You’re not to blame.” I finally looked over at my cousin and she was crying.

“I know but I am sorry that it happened to you. I know you didn’t deserve it. I’m sorry but I’m hugging you.” Hope didn’t wait for a response she just pulled me in for a hug anyway. It felt nice.

“I don’t want anyone to ever see me differently because of it…In school whenever we’d go to a new one the scars would get noticed and people would talk and eventually I couldn’t handle it so my mom would pull me out.” I said sadly pulling back from my cousin’s arms.

“Those people who did that are idiots. I’m very glad we are not in high school anymore.” She laughed a ‘

“Yes very glad. I just..thank you for listening to me and for not trying to fix me.” I smiled at my cousin and squeezed her hand.

“Why would I want to fix a person that is already perfect the way she is?” Hope asked giving me the brightest smile.

I laughed and rolled my eyes at her.

“So I’m guessing that shifter, he followed you and gave you notes?” Hope asked.

“Yeah he found me every time we moved no matter what. I’d get a new note. They all said about the same thing. This last one where he destroyed my room was very different then the others.” I sighed.

“That is very odd…” Hope tilted her head as if she could hear something. Her eyes were looking towards the kitchen. Then I heard a crash and a growl. Who the hell was that?

Hope sprang up and ran towards the kitchen. “Hope! What are you doing?!” I ran after her. By the time I got there the kitchen was empty and Hope was at the back door.

“What was that?” I asked her. It took her a minute but Hope finally turned around. “I think it was just a pack member.” I couldn’t tell if Hope was telling me the truth…which was an odd sensation to have.

I was about to question her when my dad walked into the kitchen. “Girls is everything alright? I heard a growl.” He gave us both a look of concern.

“We heard it too..we came here to look…” I told him biting my lip and looking away.”

“Next time call for me please.” He gave me a warning look and then sighed. “I was thinking why don’t we go out for pizza tonight? Sound good girls?” He flashed us a smile.

“Yeah sounds good.” Hope laughed “I’m going to get my parents and I’ll meet you at Joe’s okay?” She waved at us and jogged out the door.

“You okay honey?” My dad asked coming over and pulling me into a loose hug.

“Yeah Just tired. Let’s go get some food!” I pulled away trying to make it seem not obviously that I was slightly uncomfortable. Dad, Colleen and I all went to meet my aunt and uncle and Hope at Joe’s for dinner. It was going to be a great dinner.