Thanks for voting :) I hope you continue to support this story and check out my other ones :) This chapter won't be as...eventful, I guess as the ones to come, but I hope you vote because I already have it, the goal is 3-5 votes till I post the next chapter and I can tell you guys--this one is pretty good :)
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Three.
What was it with me and those blackouts? I mean I remember blacking out—clearly because the second time I woke up in the large room, my first thought was of Jarred’s rock-hard Greek God body. Damn this boy was mouth watering!
When I sat up, I found out that I wasn’t alone. At the edge of the bed was a really small, lone brown wolf. I touched the wolf’s fur and smiled to myself. I didn’t know who it was but I wasn’t intimidated like I’d usually be. I used my senses to try and hear what was happening downstairs. I was in no way going back down there. No way.
There were pots and pans that seemed to fall everywhere, some grunting, girlish giggling. The laughter, I realized was Corey’s, the grunting should come from the boys. Suddenly, I could smell it—a woodland smell mixed with breakfast…making their way up the stairs.
The first thing I would have done was lock the door but I didn’t because the door HAD no lock. I sat behind the bed, hiding for whoever came—I saw lean legs from where I stood then the legs were bending. I heard sniffing—oh, this would be so embarrassing if I wasn’t shitting myself! I tried to creep back but then hairless wonder popped out.
I immediately hugged her, glad it was Corey and not one of the sexy, perverted weasels…er, wolves, downstairs. “You really have to shower, Elle.”
I smiled. Corey always told me what to do—it was such a motherly instinct. “What happened this time?”
She looked undetermined to tell me what happened. She hated it when I dug into her head so I guess she saw it coming when I lunged my thoughts into hers.
I know you so much better than you think Gabrielle Brandt! Don’t you dare lurk in my head cause no way in hell will you get anything! Oh…bacon…eggs. You know, you should really eat breakfast. Hey, shower won’t you? Then get out of my head…please. You smell like dry dog…no pun intended since wet dogs are healthy dogs…
Damn she wasn’t going to let me get out of this easy. I got tired of listening to her jibber jabber so I gave up and sighed. I saw that she was looking at the wolf and she surprised me by her carrying the wolf to a pillow in the bed before tucking the wolf in. Any human who saw Corey do that would think she was a heavyweight but actually—it was wolf strength.
“Who is it?” I asked.
“Mitchell, he didn’t want to leave you and Jarred thought it was alright but poor baby probably fell asleep.” She said, looking back to the cub.
I remembered Mitchell and everything that happened in the kitchen but I still couldn’t remember what happened in the club. “Corey…what’s going on? Why are we here?”
She bit her lip, obviously having gossip but not wanting to share. She seemed to know my thoughts because she said: “I would tell you if I could but it’s not my story to tell. Jarred will explain everything.”
“I don’t know this guy! Who is he to me? Why should I care what he thinks just because he’s some hot-shot Alpha?” I growled, feeling my wolf advance. I stepped back and put my hand up, urging her to stop at her tracks. “Why did I turn? In the club? Don’t blame it on the alcohol—I drink Absinthe all the time so what the hell is going on?”
“Relax, Elle. You need to relax or else you’ll turn.”
“I’ll relax once someone tells me what’s going on!” I shouted. “I’m sorry,” I said, calmer this time, but keeping the anger in my tone so she knew she wouldn’t be able to escape. Eventually they had to tell me the secret…right?
“You wanna talk to Jarred now?” she asked, biting her lip, obviously wanting me to say no.
Two things I knew about this Jarred guy: firstly, he was the Alpha of this godforsaken pack that would eventually take my one and only trusted friend—I couldn’t blame Corey if she wanted to leave, one of us deserved to be happy. Secondly, Jarred was beyond hot. I heard a whimper from behind me and found Mitchell’s naked body covered in sheets on the bed. I found myself not answering Corey’s question and instead asking her:
“Why is he turning for someone so young?” I asked, hoping this child didn’t have to suffer.
“I know, I was worried too when I first found out because he turned like crazy and broke a few plates.” She bit her lip, nervously. This was getting annoying! She noticed my expression and sighed: “He’s like you. Special.”
Obviously she meant he was a Riser. Risers were those wolves who were so powerful that they were literally leashed at home. It was a lame name but eh, I didn’t come up with it. I instantly felt bad for Mitchell—he was just a boy and he was rising up to lycanthropy earlier than I was. I sighed, wishing I could help him but knowing that I wouldn’t be able to. I could barely help myself.
“Special isn’t the right word—he doesn’t deserve this. What’s his lineage?”
“I don’t know. I’m not part of the pack so it’s kind of off limits. You might be able to get it off Jarred though.”
The mention of Jarred’s name sent butterflies in my stomach. I couldn’t help but feel like this feeling was important…but why? I grew more confused by the minute but then my stomach growled. “I’m hungry.” I stated.
“You should be. You’ve been out of it for three days now. And here I thought you weren’t a lightweight!”
“Don’t blame it on the Absinthe. It was more than that…I know I turned, I just don’t know why.” I looked at her, hoping for some answers. “Corey, do you know why?”
“Gabrielle, you know I would tell you if I knew. You’re my leader my Al—,” she stopped, sniffing. “Jordan’s coming!” she said happily, instantly she looked more elated. I wondered how I would look if I found my mate…if ever. “Oh…Jarred’s coming too.”
I grit my teeth. Why was it when people mentioned his name something in my body felt different, more alert. I didn’t take this as a good sign so I began to back away. If Jordan was in Jarred’s pack and Jordan was Corey’s mate then they—by law, couldn’t hurt her. But me on the other hand…they didn’t know who I was, what I was. They just thought I was a lone wolf that came from a large pack that never existed. I was the only reason why so much intense power came out of Ohio—I and I alone.
They didn’t know that. Who knew what they’d do to me if they knew? I stepped next to the window—once someone pounces I would immediately let my wolf take over then jump out. I could smell them now, they were probably mind linking each other because neither of them were talking—that or they just didn’t communicate which would be weird because they were in a pack. Pack’s shared secrets.
The door opened and I couldn’t help but swoon at the sight of Jarred. Sure, I kept my eyes on his body—surely because my own yearned for him. Yearning to touch him, shit! My body actually ached at the sight of those rock hard abs, those biceps! Damn, don’t they wear shirts around him. He took no notice of me—or, no notice that I knew because he walked over to Mitchell who I foolishly forgot as his brother. I wondered myself if Jarred was a Riser.
He couldn’t be or else he’d be able to sense me by now. I tried not to think of the fact that he ignored me while Jordan put his arms around Corey. I wasn’t jealous—I was happy for her. I think. But somehow, having Jarred in the same room as me erupted weird feelings. The worst thing was I didn’t know if the feelings were negative or positive.
“How are you?” My god. His voice was sexier than everything about him! Now how could that even be possible.
You could say I panicked but that would be an understatement. I didn’t panic—that would have been better but the worst was that I mind blanked. He easily saw that I was…not myself and his body shot up. Now I was facing his chest. I was completely aware that Corey and Jordan were eyeing us both.
What was with the suspicious looks?
“Are you alright? Can I get you anything?”
I gulped. If I was one of those girly-girls I would be fanning myself, finding it hard to breathe. Christ! I finally met what I knew was inevitable. Man…those eyes could melt a thousand freaking hearts! He looked at me worriedly and I wondered why he looked so…protective. Yes, protective was the right word. I nodded, not trusting myself with words.
He sighed. “I’d like to hear you say you are alright. Please, are you alright? Can I get you anything, anything at all?”
“I’d like some answers.” He let out a breath, seemingly happy that I spoke. What was with this delectable wolf and why did he look at me with hungry, lustful, gorgeous eyes. Damn, spending too much time with Corey is making me soft!
I narrowed my eyes and he looked tired. I felt bad for wanting to hound him but who could you blame? My wolf was impatient and so was I! “What would you like to know?”
“You’ll seriously tell me?”
“Anything to make you happy.”
Any girl would have said ‘aw’ or easily fallen for this guy but I’d had my fair share of bastards. I winced thinking about the man who ruined my life…thinking about him though, sent shivers up my spine. I didn’t know why but I felt easily nervous. I tried not to think of anything stupid, tried to concentrate on Jarred. He was looking at me with such intensity that anyone from the outside would think he was sexing me with his eyes.
I could say I was flattered but wow. “Why would you want to make me happy?”
“Because you’re—,” he easily got cut off.
By Corey. “—Because you’re freaking amazing that’s why!” she said, pulling me away. I could feel Jarred’s tight gaze on my body and I couldn’t help but want to touch him. What was this feeling? I couldn’t understand and let Corey lead me downstairs. After all, I was pretty hungry so why should I miss out on a great meal?
***
Jarred’s POV
She was pretty cute, pouting at me and looking all confused but cute wasn’t enough of a word. She looked…confused, irritated, annoyed, god who knows what else but she stood her ground, even when I approached her.
I wondered why she hadn’t felt…our connection yet. I didn’t want to press her, to push her and tell her she was mine. It’s not like she was going anywhere…I hoped. When I walked in there and smelled her—God, she smelled like Christmas Morning. Or better. I wanted to go up to her instantly but I realized that Mitchell’s naked body was covered. I heard about Risers, about how they were cursed, bound to a horrible fate—but at the same time they were the greatest, most powerful. It was the reason why dad allowed me to take him with us.
After checking up on him, she still stood there, even when I asked her questions and she didn’t talk to me. My body ached—wanting to feel her on my skin but I couldn’t surprise her when…when she clearly hid a past. She looked reluctant to talk but then I felt relief as she said:
“I’d like answers.” She said, quite confidently.
“What would you like to know?” Part of me was angry—the wolf part of me, to be exact. My wolf wanted her—but he wasn’t exactly excited to share secrets if he wasn’t going to get any in return. But I would have done anything….anything to make her smile. To make her happy.
She looked confused, as if she didn’t expect me to say that: “You’ll seriously tell me?”
Yes, anything for you. You’re my mate, my SOULMATE. My only l—I stopped my thoughts, unaware that I practically mind linked my feelings to her…to the whole pack. I knew that would come back to bite me in the ass later but I didn’t care…for now. “Anything to make you happy.”
She stopped for a moment, biting her lip. I wanted to stop her from doing that—from biting herself. She was mine—those lips were mine and no one should touch her but me. I growled inwardly, trying to fight the wolf inside me. My wolf was getting impatient and she again surprised us when she asked:
“Why would you want me to be happy?”
Is she serious! Can she not see our link? Can she not see that I’m her mate! I would have growled but she was my mate, I wouldn’t scare her off, in any manner. But if she couldn’t take a hint—or see past her other thoughtst then I should tell her . “Because you’re– ,”
“Because you’re freaking amazing!”
At that moment I would have wringed Corrine but the look on her eyes told me to back off. That there was more to this than I knew. I stared as Corrine pulled her away, she didn’t look back which upset me but I couldn’t help but stare as she left.
“Why can’t she see?” I asked my Beta. I put my hands in my head and felt like I needed to punch a wall—or turn. But if I turned I would have to leave her and I didn’t want that. I couldn’t leave her now that I’ve found her.
“She’s been through plenty of things—or so I’ve heard. I don’t want to push Corrine into telling me private details of Gabrielle’s life.” Jordan sat by me and pat my shoulder. “We both know that some she-wolves have trouble seeing past horrible memories. Maybe you should do it the old fashioned way.”
Old fashioned way? I asked him through our mind link.
He nodded. Buy her flowers, chocolates. Ask her on a date. You know—the human way?
I grinned! What a great idea! With this she could trust me…she could see past what was in her head. I could win her. I didn’t have to anyway because she was mine and mine alone. I felt my smile begin to slip, remembering her final words before she passed out.
“What do you think she meant by ‘he’s found me’?”
Jordan looked up, obviously he knew something I didn’t know. Damn, I’d give anything for a mind reading wolf. I’d been looking for one for so long—my power was pretty useless—manipulation. Girls went crazy over it, but the only girl I wanted was untouchable for that. I sighed—you don’t want to control her. You just want her.
“You won’t tell me then?” I asked.
“I won’t. I love Corrine and I can see that you already love Gabrielle, but she has…secrets. I don’t even know how much but I don’t suspect its good. She sounded frightened when she said that. Whoever she’s running from…I guess it has something to do with the branding.”
I growled. Whoever did that to her would pay! “She was unwillingly taken.” I said, the words making me feel like I was being strangled. “She doesn’t deserve that! I should have found her first!”
“Calm yourself, Jarred. Yes, she was unwillingly taken and of course the branding…of course it has some answers. If we press her though, you know she’ll hate you?”
I didn’t think of that. All I felt was revenge. No one touched my mate but me! I wanted to tear whoever marked her to shreds. Rip them apart limb for limb. I clenched my fists, trying to shake the thought off my head.
“Ask her out.” Jordan said, “She find’s you attractive—the tension earlier was like weird.”
That made me smile a little. “I’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy. To make her trust me.”
“I know you will, Jarred. I know you will.”