Chapter 24
SHANE
-I can feel you, Shanelle.-I tense up.-I’m the former alpha of this pack, and not just by name. I know this is a lot for you. I’ll give you a fast way out of here; Rosa will be busy with the guys. I’ll give you my keys, and you can take my car. Go home, rest, and take some time for yourself. You need a breather from all this. Not every day do you find out that werewolves exist.
I’m surprised by his kindness. Life has taught me to be cautious, but something in his tone and eyes makes me feel that, despite the challenges, there’s refuge here.
-Are you sure?-I ask, unable to hide the pressure in my chest.
-Absolutely. I’ll let Liam know you needed to leave for a while. I’m here to help you, Shanelle.-His voice is calm, and I nod, feeling that the decision to get away, even temporarily, is what I truly need.
Alec hands me the keys with a firm hand, as if passing on a torch that carries the responsibility of his legacy. I squeeze them a little between my fingers, feeling the weight of his trust in me.
-Thank you, Alec. This means more than you can imagine.-I reply, with a lump in my throat.
-Remember, you’ll always have a place here. You’re part of this now, part of our family.-His gaze is compassionate and warm, and with that, I feel a part of me release.
As I head for the door, I realize that despite the chaos that has been my life lately, there’s a mixture of emotion and curiosity within me. I’ve never been part of something so fascinating, so… different. The fact that Liam is a werewolf doesn’t scare me as much as before. In fact, I’m drawn to his world.
Stepping outside, the fresh air envelops me, and a whisper of hope ignites in my heart. With Alec’s keys in my hand, I think about what it will mean for me to go home, away from the shadows and mystery, even if only for a short time.
I drive in silence, the soft music on the radio barely managing to drown out my thoughts. The streets are gently illuminated by the flickering lights of the sunset. I can’t help but connect everything I’m leaving behind with the future that might be waiting for me.
Upon reaching my apartment, a slight sigh of relief escapes my lips. Everything feels so familiar, so normal, and yet, inside, nothing will ever be the same again. Still, I decide to give myself the opportunity to breathe, reflect, and understand what I truly desire.
-Marc!-I yell, walking into his room. He immediately comes out, looking at me with wide eyes.
-Baby? But what are you doing here?-He finds me halfway and throws myself into his arms. I know we saw each other just a few hours ago, but I swear I needed this. Tears escape me, and then I let it all out without holding back anymore. I feel overwhelmed, confused, and happy; I feel fear of the unknown. Maybe all this is due to the pregnancy, the hormones are playing tricks on me, but of course, my best friend doesn’t know anything about my condition and will think I’m going crazy, because while I’m crying, the next moment I’m laughing.
-I’m sorry. I just needed a hug.
-Whenever you want. But that doesn’t explain why you’re here. I thought your boyfriend would take you to his multi-million dollar apartment.-A small involuntary laugh escapes me because I decorated that multi-million dollar apartment.
-Well, he took me to his mother’s house because I needed to see the kitchen remodeling. He left me there and went to an urgent company meeting… but his father helped me escape there. It’s not that he and Mrs. Rosa are bad people; rather, it has to do with the fact that he understands me and knows I needed a break from this new world.
I pull away from Marc and can see his smug smile on his face.
-So, a new world?
-Shut up.
-Yeah, I also heard about that meeting. Gigit was a bit tense; you don’t have to be a genius to see that something’s happening to those two. Did Liam mention what’s going on with him?-Marc asks.
-He didn’t, but he did tell me something that made me a little uneasy; he said I’d be safer in his apartment. But I don’t know exactly what he meant. Well, do they have enemies…? Hunters? Of course they do! If werewolves exist, hunters exist! Am I wrong? I think I’ve seen too many science fiction movies.-I scratch my head.
Marc laughs.
-Come on, let’s go to the kitchen and have something. You have to relax a bit. A lot has happened in the last few days. First your father, then Liam, then Liam again proving he’s a werewolf, then you discovering that you’re his mate…
-Then you discovering that Gigit is a werewolf. Then you discovering that you are his mate. Then everything is turning into chaos… It’s so many things to assimilate.-I interrupt him.
-You’re right, it’s a lot.-he says.
I leave my purse on the kitchen counter and we sit down. Marc brings a pitcher of juice and pours a glass for each of us. We let the silence envelop us for a moment.
-So, wolf boy.
-That’s what they’ve told me.-he smiles, but that smile doesn’t reach his eyes.-What’s wrong?-Sadness reflects in his gaze.
-Steven called me. He’s coming here.
-Oh.
-Yeah, oh. God! How did I get into all this trouble! -He runs both hands through his hair, frustrated.
-If we analyze it well, you didn’t get into it; they put you in this trouble. None of what’s happening to us with these men, we chose it, because, in the end, whether we wanted to or not, we would end up being their mates. And it’s that the instant attraction we feel towards them is undeniable; no matter how much we wanted to fight against it, we couldn’t.