In Between Two Alphas

Chapter 16

I wanted to laugh, because his duty pretty much sounded phony. But I knew he wasn’t joking, he never was.  

“Is it dangerous?”

“Sometimes, when there are Rogues or strange Wolves in our area which shouldn’t be there.”

His words made me think about Liam, Zev’s cousin who had gone Rogue. He’d killed his own people and members from Layton’s pack. I frowned at the thought, but continued eating, only because I didn’t want to worry Layton any more than I already had.

Layton insisted that I slept some more so that my body could get a chance to properly recover. It was obvious he really cared. He wanted me to get better. Except I had slept too much already, and I wasn’t sleepy anymore.

After some arguing, I proposed that we should watch a movie. Layton agreed, reluctantly, but he still didn’t fight with me. I knew it was because he thought I was still feeling ill. I appreciated that he cared though.

Layton left home around seven. He didn’t want to leave, but he had to. The only reason he did leave was because I promised to call if anything happened to me.

I wasn’t ready for a meeting between my parents and him. My dad had barely accepted Zev, who was just my friend.

He wouldn’t like that I was dating anyone, even though I wasn’t sure that Layton and I were together.

I couldn’t find sleep when I went to bed. After trying to doze off for about an hour, I turned on the light and started reading a book. I had just flipped the first page when my phone went off.

It was Zev calling. I answered my phone as soon as I saw his name blinking in my screen.  

“Zev!” I excitedly cried into the phone.

“I see you sound much better,” Zev replied with a chuckle.

“I slept as soon as I got home. Now I can’t sleep and I’m bored.”

“You sound hyper.”

“I think it’s because I’m just really awake.” At least that was my best guess.

“That could be it.”

“So, how was PE without me? I bet you sobbed all period long.”

I was grinning at the thought of having Zev actually sob about something. He was so tough and manly, it was funny to imagine him sobbing like a little girl.  

“I think I scared some people with my uncontrollable pleas for you.” I could hear the grin in his voice and it caused me to laugh.

“Anyways Zev, what can I do for you pumpkin?”

“I wanted to check how you were doing. I see you haven’t lost your touch, which means you’re good, so I’ll let you go to sleep,” he said.

“No! Don’t hang up. Didn’t you hear that I’m bored?” I whined.

“I heard loud and clear,” Zev said, sounding amused.

“Let’s talk!” I told him, until I realized he might not want to be on the phone so late.

“Wait, never mind. If you have to go, I totally understand.”

“I don’t have to go. So, let’s talk!” Zev said, trying to imitate my cheery voice.

We ended up talking until I felt asleep with him still on the phone.

I was standing alone, in the middle of the woods.