Azaire POV
“Why the hell are you calling me?” I growled.
“Didn’t you hear me we have to talk!”
“If this is about Zoe and Fran they’re adults they can handle their own issues.”
“Azaire, I can’t tell you over the phone. I’ll come over-”
“No, no, don’t even think about it. I’m busy right now and I’m with someone why would you show up at my house?”
Holly sighed in frustration. “I don’t care who you’re with Azaire.”
“I’ll call you when I’m free, okay?”
“That’s not good enough!” she was on the verge of a temper tantrum.
“That’s all I can offer, goodbye,” I hung up before she could protest.
I was glad that the conversation happened over the phone and not in person. Holly had a habit of throwing things.
Fran kissed Blazer goodbye, I wish I hadn’t caught that. Ross and Richie went inside. Opal had been worried sick about Elaine. I reached out to my mate using the mate bond she was still upset and scared but when she sensed me she pushed me away.
“Come on, Elaine,” I mumbled.
“Azaire,” Fran sighed. “I’m really sorry. I should have paid attention. I met Chase and I wanted him to tell me about Oliver. He’s been silent.”
“Fran, I told you I’d take care of Oliver.”
“I know but you didn’t get back to me and he hasn’t called not even when Dad was attacked.”
“Look, Kid, Oliver needs space. You’re better off not knowing where he is.”
“You can’t expect me to accept that!” she stomped her foot.
“I know he’s your brother but you’re my little sister. It’s my job to protect you. Oliver needs space. I don’t want you to see him like that.”
She sniffled and folded her arms. “Whatever. What do we do about Elaine?”
“I’m going after her. Come up with a list of everyone’s names at that party.”
Fran nodded and walked back into the house. My back ached, I had knots in my shoulders and my feet were killing me. I wasn’t ready to rest I needed to set things straight with her.
“Azaire!” Richie called holding up his phone. Ross was right behind him. “I have news you might want to see.”
“What?” I grumbled.
“Elaine is in big trouble,” he said mischievously. “For vandalising tombstones in a cemetery.”
“My Elaine?” I scoffed. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Richie grinned and turned on his phone. He showed me a picture of some guy’s swollen face with red nasty cuts and bruises.
“Your girl did that.”
I scanned the rest of the photos each one was worse than the last one. I couldn’t wrap my head around how she broke a mausoleum!
“She threw a guy into it,” Ross said excitedly.
I raked a hand through my hair. “Shit.”
“So she really did attack Lucas and she beat the crap out of those boys. As the Alpha I have to take action bro. So you’re paying for all the damages to those tombstones.”
I shoved my brother.
“Why the hell was she at a cemetery anyway?” I grumbled.
Elaine wouldn’t even watch a horror movie with me I couldn’t imagine her willingly going to a cemetery.
“Whatever happened those boys deserved it,” Megan announced as she marched out of the house.
“Do you have any other flavour other than violent sweetheart?” Ross said through gritted teeth.
She scowled. “Remember, Elaine is a sweetheart but she’s also an Alpha Female, her nature won’t let her be pushed around. I stand by my word she was attacked and Lucas likely did the same thing.”
I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. How could my brother do that?
***
I hammered on Rae’s front door for the third time.
“You can’t hide her from me,” I called.
“Oh yes, I can!” Rae shouted back.
“This is a very nice door, Rae, it would be a shame if…”
She unlocked the door and glared at me. “She needs a moment to herself, Azaire.”
“I need to see her, please.”
Rae opened the door wide and I stepped inside.
“Where’s her brother?”
Lawrence and Rae decided to move in together and make their relationship work. So far Lawrence hadn’t reported any discrimination or abuse but then again Lawrence was a big guy and he could crush someone if he wanted to. I’d think twice if I wanted to pick a fight with him.
“He’s at work, but he wasn’t happy when Elaine showed up like that!”
“Did she tell you what happened?”
Rae shook her head. “She just cried and then passed out. She’s in the bathtub.”
I nodded. I walked towards the bathroom in the hallway.
“Azaire! I said she’s the bathtub!”
I raised a brow. “And?”
She slumped forward and groaned. “Whatever, Azaire. Remember I’m a witch and I will curse you if she cries again.”
I wasn’t here to make her cry. I stood outside the door and listened. It was quiet.
“Mate…”
I turned the knob and pushed the door in.
“Azaire!” she screamed.
“I’m not here to fight, I promise.”
“How’d you find me? I mean… ugh whatever.”
She cupped her breasts and squeezed her legs together. I knelt beside the bathtub and took her chin between my fingers. Her eyes searched the room but refused to look at me.
“I’m here Elaine. Tell me what happened.”
“C-can we not?”
“Why? Do you think I’ll be mad at you? Damn right, I’m furious! Don’t you trust me? I’m your mate it’s my nature to protect you.”
“How the hell am I supposed to fit in and get accepted if you’re bashing everyone’s heads?” she snapped.
I groaned.
“You don’t think about those things, Azaire. They have every right to hate me for what my Father did.”
“You and your Father are two different people.”
She looked away and sunk deeper into the water. She had faint marks on her arms and the water was dirty from all the dirt she had on her. She was still gorgeous and I wanted to touch her.
I wondered if she meant it when she said she wouldn’t have sex with me. That should be the last thing on my mind but I couldn’t get rid of the need to be intimate with her. I wanted to touch her and feel her.
“I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m supposed to protect you but I did the opposite.”
“You can’t change how you feel about it,” she mumbled.
“It’s not you, Elaine, it’s me. I’m the broken one.”
She remained silent. My hand moved from her face to her neck and then travelled to her chest. She arched her back and hissed.
“Stop.”
“Come home with me mate, please, I’m begging you.” My nose brushed her cheek.
“What about Lucas?” her voice cracked.
“Don’t worry about him. We’ll handle it.”
She looked into my eyes. She had bags under her eyes she was exhausted. She wrapped her arms around my neck.
“I’m sorry babe,” I whispered into her hair.
***
Elaine slipped into a robe and we walked out of the bathroom together. Rae was in the living room unaware of what to do with herself.
“Are you okay?” she demanded.
Elaine nodded. “Yeah, we’re fine.”
I pulled her close and kissed her forehead. I noticed a few grains of soil in her hair and brushed it off.
“Oh, I guess I didn’t get all of it out,” she commented.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get it out when we get home. I owe you a shower,” I whispered the last part in her ear.
“Uh… do you mind if I stay here for a while?” she asked.
“But Elaine-”
“I’ll come home, I promise, I just want to stay for a little bit.”
I nodded. “Fine, I’ll bring you a change of clothes.”
She smiled in relief. “See you later.”
I was glad we made up however we still had a lot to iron out. My phone vibrated with another call when I drove out of Rae’s driveway. It was an unknown number again.
Holly won’t leave me alone until I give in to her demands.
“What now Holly?” I responded.
“Azaire, if you don’t agree to meet with me then I’m going to your house.”
“What could be so damn important!”
“Meet me.”
I reluctantly agreed to meet her by Cherry’s cafe. They served the worst coffee and no one ever went there. Blood Moon Pack was small and word travelled quickly I didn’t want anyone seeing us together. Just as I assumed Cherry’s cafe was empty despite their two-for-one sale on all items.
I was forced to buy weak coffee and last week’s muffin. When Holly walked through the front door twenty minutes later than our agreed time I was fuming. No sleep and dealing with my ex-girlfriend was a bad combination.
Holly set her moss-green designer bag on the table and kept her sunglasses on.
“Make this quick,” I said.
“Aren’t you going to tell me you missed me?”
“Holly,” I snapped.
She fiddled with her bag for a few seconds before she reached into it and pulled out an envelope.
“That’s for you.”
I ripped the envelope open and pulled out a black and white picture. I couldn’t make heads or tails of what it was.
Holly cleared her throat. “That’s Leon when I was four months pregnant.”
“What?” Blood drained from my face.
Holly nodded. “I had your son, Azaire.”
“What?”