When I Find You (Completed) (Not Edited)

Chapter 16

Descending the stairs, he quieted as he heard Adriane conversing with what Nathaniel was assuming Nelson.

"-My mate!" Adriane yelled. Nathaniel froze with those two words. He hadn't heard the rest of the conversations, but he didn't need to. An indescribable, burning anger surged through Nathaniel. He didn't understand why he was feeling like this, but his stomach churned harshly. Pain bloomed, but he ignored it, stomping down the stairs.

At the bottom, he was met with Nelson looking at him smugly while Adriane glared from across.

"Oh. Hi Nathaniel." Nelson said. Nathaniel watched as Adriane stiffened before turning towards him. A large, goofy grin broke out on her face, but it did nothing to cool his unreasonable anger. Her smile wilted, disappearing completely in a hurry. Concern overtook her features, and he pushed away the guilt.

"Is everything okay?" She asked him, worry lacing her words. Nathaniel sulked to Adriane's cell, thrusting the clothes at her.

"Here." He grounded out, turning around to give her privacy to change. After a bit, she called out hesitantly and softly to him. He didn't look her in the eyes as he tugged the sheets from her grasp, busying himself by tossing it into a nearby hamper so he wouldn't have to look at the feelings that displayed themselves on her face.

"This is yours?" Adriane asked him, giving his clothing a quiet sniff. Nathaniel shrugged, dragging his feet back in front of her cell.

"Yeah, but probably doesn't smell as good as your mate." He bit out bitterly. Adriane looked up at him with a confused expression, opening her mouth to say something. Nathaniel silenced her by raising his hand, not ready to deal with the excuses she was going to spew. Nelson giggled behind him, but Nathaniel ignored him. Adriane leaned around to see Nelson, sending him the look that could be described only as death itself before looking back at Nathaniel.

"So, if you were from a pack in Minnesota, are you now a rogue?" Nathaniel crossed his arms over his chest as he regarded the woman in front of him. The anger was slowly dying away and being replaced by hurt. He didn't understand why he was feeling the emotions he was. Adriane looked away awkwardly and shifted her weight from foot to foot.

"Well... My pack was attacked when I was younger, and I was the sole survivor of the event..." Adriane seemed to get lost in thought before continuing what she was saying. "I was sent to my uncle's pack in Wisconsin. Recently, that pack was attacked the same way as my birth pack. The Company took my little cousin who's like a sister to me. I left to come find her. I'm pretty sure my uncle has kicked me out of the pack. So, I guess I am a rogue." Adriane drifted off, a sad look marring her features. She tugged the sleeves further down her arms. Nathaniel hummed, mulling over the information Adriane had just revealed. He shoved his hurt feelings deep down, not allowing them to get in the way of his questioning.

"And that's why you were looking for here? For your cousin?" Adriane smiled at him shyly before nodding. Nathaniel observed her, watching as realization over something struck her and she rushed towards the bars, making herself taller by standing on her tippy-toes. The top her head met his chin in height.

"Maybe you know her! Her name is Amber! She's pretty short. She's got lighter colored hair. The attacked happened... Oh, I don't know... Over a month ago? I wouldn't know exactly." Nathaniel scrutinized her, knowing exactly who she was talking about.

He didn't know whether or not he should tell her. He didn't need to tell her about his guard partner. Yet, he couldn't stand the thought of the hurt and disappointment flitting across her face. He also knew that she would still feel it if he told her. He decided to tell her. She went through all this trouble to find her relative, the least he could do was reward her. He grabbed her hands, enjoying the slight tingling that pulsed when they made contact.

"I know her. She's my guard partner. I knew as soon as you said she was short and was taken recently. I always call her Shrimpette, and she hates me for it." He admitted, trying to lighten his mood by joking a bit with her. Adriane's mouth flew open as she hopped in excitement. A large smile broke her face, and Nathaniel felt deep down that he had done the right thing.

"I need to see her! She'd be so happy to see some family! Please, Nathaniel? I need to see my family!" Nathaniel felt guilt rise in his chest, tightening around his heart and clogging his throat. Adriane's smile dropped, her brows drew together in confusion. Another wave of guilt racked his body.

"What is it?" Adriane questioned.

"Well..." He started. Sighing, he released her hands and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I'm sorry, Adriane, but once we get a new wolf, we brainwash them so they don't remember their past. This keeps them from acting out and always plotting against us." Adriane shook her head in disbelief.

"But if she sees me, she'll remember something! I've been with her since she was born!" Nathaniel gazed down at the female before him, pity filling his eyes. She looked up at him with wounded eyes, begging him to let her see her relative. Her soulful eyes chipped slowly at his resolve. Eventually, he sighed, swearing under his breath knowing he was beat.

"Alright," He said finally. "But don't say I didn't warn you." Adriane bounced happily once again, sending him a grateful smile. Nathaniel knew this was going to end with tears shed, and he wasn't looking forward to it.