Chasing Tails (Original)

38. Beta Duty Part 3

Julie walked down the stairs trying to avoid acknowledging any of the stares she was receiving from her family. It's been four days since she's seen anyone but Sheila and Dresden. She's spent all of her time avoiding Dresden and sleeping away in Sheila's room. She couldn't be more thankful to the she-wolf. Sheila has been there through the thick and thin, giving all sorts of support to Julie. Now, Julie finally had enough confidence to come out of hiding. She was ready to shove all thoughts of her argument with Dresden to the back of her mind and focus entirely on finding Trisha.

She went straight for the living room, not feeling up to eating breakfast. Jack was leaning his head on the arm rest of the couch, slowly taking sips of a soda with his good hand. She fell into a chair next to him and gave him a small smile. He was looking better than she remembered.

"How are you doing?" She asked, leaning over him. He chuckled weakly, setting the can on the floor.

"I should be asking you that question." He stared at her hard and sternly, chiding her. "You did something very stupid."

"I did," She winced at the mere memory of it, her arm tingling in response. Thanks to Dresden's unique wolf trait, her wounds were closed and mostly healed. But her muscles were still achy and her nerves could still remember the inflictions. "What else could I do?"

Jack didn't have a straight answer. He couldn't help but stare at her with astonishment. He couldn't think of anyone who would dare run into the middle of a battlefield between two raging Alphas, knowing they couldn't defend themselves, just to talk to them. The three scars on her arm were still healing and he couldn't help but feel frustrated. It was amazing that Dresden hadn't taken it upon himself to lock her up entirely. She seemed to always be getting hurt.

"I'm going to visit Ollie and see how my brothers are doing, if anyone asks."

"I don't think that's a good diea just yet, Julie." He argued weakly. "Just because you were able to stop a fight doesn't mean you're welcomed there." She shrugged.

"If I just sit around here, I'll go insane." Jack couldn't find it in him to say no. More and more, she was turning into a little sister. She was becoming someone he was weak against. He let out a relunctant sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I'll let them know." She smiled, kissing his head before adjusting the pillow behind him.

"Don't push yourself too hard." He snorted as she left, rolling his eyes.

"I can't even breath without the she-beast looking over my shoulder." He thought aloud, reaching for his soda.

"What about me?" He jumped, looking up to see Sheila exit the kitchen and mentally cursed as she glared down at him.

Julie reached Ollie's pack house a little later, surprise to see it was white. Tall and wide, it stood out from the woods around it but it wasn't much different from her own pack house. It had a bigger backyard and more florals around it. Someone had been taking good care of the lawn. On the front porch, a few of the pack members growled and glared at her. She paused just before the first step, momentary fearing further entry. She took a breath to calm her nerves. They had no point in attacking her.

"Is the Alpha around?" She asked, looking at them with patient eyes. They stared back at her and for a moment, she thought they weren't going to let her in. Then they nodded and waved her up, granting her entrance. She eyed them cautiously before stepping up and walking through the front door. As soon as she was inside, she was tackled with a pair of arms and instantly recognized Andy.

"I'm so sorry about that night." He whispered in her ear, hugging her tightly against him. She smiled, hugging him back, missing his warmth. Her chest ached and she didn't want to let go. She finally felt safe after days of feeling unnattached. He let her hug him until she gathered the strength she needed, smiling gently at her.