“Shoot,” I said.
I closed the book on wolf genetics and opened another one. I had a huge test tomorrow and the textbooks I grabbed from the library were outdated and basic.
“There you are! Don’t skip, lunch Elaine or else Azaire will have my head,” Fran said, strolling into the biology lab.
“I grabbed a sandwich but I can’t eat in the lab.”
Fran looped her arm through mine and tugged me away from the table.
“Let’s go eat so you can tell me why you told Azaire about Holly! I wasn’t supposed to tell you,” she hissed.
“I didn’t tell him you told me. Anyway, he brought it up.”
“Ugh, Zoe is obnoxious but since Holly returned to Ophelia Falls she’s been pretty low-key.”
“I really don’t care. What she had with Azaire is over.”
“That’s my girl. So I’m going to see Blazer today want to come?” she asked hopefully.
I sighed. I began packing up my stuff. I might as well take a break before I give myself a headache. This is what I signed up for.
“We speak on the phone I haven’t totally abandoned him.”
“He misses you, Elle. I think he’s lonely. The house is so big and cold.”
I shivered. “I can’t imagine going back to that property. Not after everything that happened.”
“Convince him to sell it. Honestly, he doesn’t need anything all that space.”
“You can do it. You’re his girlfriend and he’s crazy about it.”
She blushed. “We’re taking it slow. Shoot, I forgot I have a chemistry class with the worst lecturer. Promise me you’ll sit down and eat?”
I nodded. “Promise.”
While Fran ran off to catch her class I went to buy a bottle of water. I found a quiet seat made of smooth stone with a round stone table to eat my sandwich. The loneliness on my shoulders felt like the bench I sat on. I felt so low I couldn’t appreciate the cool air or the birds singing in the vibrant green trees.
The Blood Moon Pack was more rustic and connected to nature than the Black Claw Pack. It was serene but my stay had been anything but peaceful. I’d rather be at home helping Opal decorate the baby’s room or taking up Azaire on his offer to help me train so my wolf would be stronger than she was before.
Studying for tests and dealing with teachers who hated me sucked.
“Mind if I join you?” I looked up to Chase’s smile.
“Chase, hey, I don’t mind.”
“So you took my advice and stopped hiding.”
“Temporarily anyway.”
“Don’t tell me the idiots out here have you bummed?” Chase asked.
“Aren’t some of those idiots your friends?” I asked.
He barked out a laugh. “There’s a reason I’m hardly ever here, Elaine.”
“Why’s that?” I asked.
“I’m a senior, Elaine. I’ve got more important things to do.”
“Wait, are you a beta under Azaire?” I asked, tipping my head.
Chase rolled his shoulders back and exhaled. “I have no intention of fighting for this Pack… not the way it is.”
What does that mean? Before I could ask the sound of heels clicking on the concrete grabbed my attention.
“Elaine, there you are… with Chase, ugh,” Zoe said, flipping her hair.
“Zoe, how nice to see you,” I said, hoping my smile wasn’t too fake.
Chase straightened his spine and focused his attention on anything other than Zoe. Zoe didn’t acknowledge him further instead she gave me her full attention.
“We haven’t given you a proper Blood Moon Pack welcome and you’ve been here for so long but in our defence, you’ve been glued to Azaire but now you have a life of your own we want you to come hang out with us!”
I wasn’t sure if I should be offended or delighted about the invitation.
“Uh…uh… Zoe-” I stammered.
“You can’t say no! Everyone who’s everyone is coming tomorrow night, even this loser,” Zoe said, gesturing at Chase.
“Hey, this loser’s bringing all the alcohol,” Chase replied.
“Whatever. You’re close to the Alpha’s family which automatically makes you somebody in this town. You have connections and it’s not a surprise everyone wants a piece of you. You should be proud.”
I laughed. “I don’t think I am. Thanks, Zoe, but no thanks.”
“Relax, Elaine. I’ll be there. It’ll be fun.”
I glanced between Zoe and Chase. I didn’t trust Zoe and I barely knew Chase.
“I’ll come only if Fran’s going.”
Zoe smiled. “Of course she is. Dress comfortably, see you tomorrow night.” She wagged her fingers and pranced off.
“Don’t be scared. You’re an Alpha Female, aren’t you?”
I haven’t trained in months. “Sure, I’m not making any promises about going. I have to leave. I’m meeting my Mom.”
Chase and I stood at once. “Think about it.”
Chase hovered above me, staring at me through his long dark lashes.
“See you later.”
***
“Again, you’ll never know how grateful I am you stayed in the Blood Moon Pack,” I said. “I should have visited a long time ago but school’s just been hectic and… life.”
Mom and I had tea in the afternoons every week but with school, I’d been occupied.
Mom eyed me as she poured milk into my tea. “By life to you mean your Mother in law, Janet?”
My little sister Isaura was in the living room with two friends from school. Mom and Isaura settled in well in the Pack. The local coven welcomed them with open arms. Mom said she didn’t have a community like this in her old town. She filled her garden with herbs and gardens and even though I wasn’t a witch anymore I could feel the magic in the air.
“I wish Janet was my only problem but no she’s bugging Opal and Richie have to have a mating ceremony soon,” I replied, taking a sip of the hot tea.
“Well…” she trailed, stirring her tea. She stared off into the distance as if seeing something only her eyes could see.
“What’s wrong? What do you know?” I leaned forward and whispered.
You never know when the children are listening.
“I don’t think I should tell you this because she’s Azaire’s Mother.”
“I won’t tell him you said anything! Now I’m dying to know.”
“You see, Janet has a dark past, she’s set foot on grounds she never should have stepped on. Some of these are just gossip but I encountered her a long time ago. I was young and it was before she had her sons. She was a desperate woman frantically seeking something she couldn’t have.”
“What’s that?” I whispered.
“A child. She couldn’t carry one full term. I think she feared her husband would take a breeder and she would lose her status.”
“Something must have happened because she gave birth to four boys!”
Mom took a sip of her tea and had a distant look on her face again. “I suppose so.”
She set her cup down suddenly and looked at me in the eyes. “I don’t know Elaine, I’m glad you’re living peacefully with her but I just want you to be careful. No one who sets foot in the dark realms comes out the same person. Promise me you’ll be careful.”
I stared into her worry-filled eyes. I didn’t think Janet was harmful, a little pushy but not dangerous but my Mother had lost me once I wouldn’t let her worry about losing me again.
“Okay, Mom. I promise.”