My heart stopped in my chest before picking up speed until it was about ready to leap from my throat.
Samantha just said the very word I had been waiting for, for almost six months now. Only I wasn’t so sure it meant the same thing as it did, I don’t know, six months ago.
Julian and I had just begun to hit it off even though he was still full of surprises. Then there was Trace, my unruly companion. How was that going to work? We were supposed to have this in depth connection that was nowhere near breakable, yet I was supposed to, just leave him?
I knew he could not just come with me as if he were a little puppy dog adopted from the pound. He had needs and frankly, those needs were far more important than my own.
So, if I were to sum it up in one word. That word would be pure and utter shock.
One minute Julian is being possessive and moody. The next he’s just letting me go? What the hell was going on!?
My suitcases were now laid out on my bed as Samantha proceeded to pull my clothes from my dresser drawers and closet putting them neatly away.
I tried to get a grasp on the situation as she ignored my floundering mouth. I was speechless. I couldn’t form a coherent thought let alone a whole sentence.
One word managed to escape as I let out a deep breath, “What?”
Without looking at me or stopping what she was doing she said, “You’re going home.”
She said it with no emotion whatsoever.
“You’re kidding,” I said, a small laugh escaping in hysteria.
“I assure you, this is no joke. You’re flight is set to depart no later than six tonight,” with every word it felt like the temperature dropped until my blood ran completely cold.
I ran out of the room, needing more answers than she seemed capable of giving.
I ran right into a rock solid torso as I rounded the banister at the bottom of the stairs.
“Oaf,” I heaved as I nearly fell on my butt.
A pair of hands snaked around either of my arms holding me upright before I could hurt myself further.
“Julian!” I shrieked as I caught his eye. “What the hell is going on!?”
He let go of me after a long stare and walked around me heading toward the kitchen.
“Answer me!” I hollered after him.
He froze in the doorway, with his back still to me he said, “You’re getting what you’ve been asking for since you arrived. Freedom.”
With that, he proceeded to walk away from me.
“Bullshit!”
This time when he froze his entire body went rigid. His hands forming tight fists at his sides.
One second he’s about twenty strides away in the next room, the next second he has me pushed up against the wall, “Don’t you get it? I want nothing more to do with you. I’m bored.”
He sauntered back off in the direction he had been heading, leaving me breathless. My chest was so tight it felt like he had reached into it and was squeezing the life out of my heart.
“How could you say that? After everything that’s happened, after everything you just said not even a half an hour ago! What is wrong with you?”
He just continued walking, not even glancing back in my direction once.
“Don’t expect me to come crawling back to you, Julian.”
He stopped in his tracks then, and I actually thought I had gotten to him but there was no hope in his last choice of words as he held his peace, “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
Every last piece of my resistance broke right then. I knew exactly what I wanted, and he just made it one hundred percent clear that I was never going to get it.
Climbing the stairs two a time I made my way back to my room to help Samantha with my packing.
***
I was standing outside the car waiting for the guys to finish placing my bags in the trunk. I took in the gothic style manor one last time as everyone gathered around to give me a farewell, and see me off.
Trix wrapped her chubby little arms around my shins in a hug, “Don’t go,” she squeaked, her voice cracking as the tears poured down her cheeks.
Silver gave us both a sympathetic look as James took his place beside her after finishing with my bags.
Scooping up Trix, I tried to wipe away her tears but they just kept coming, “It’s going to be all right, Bella Trix. You still have your mommy and daddy. Samantha and Trace, too.”
She sniffed trying to catch her breath, “Trace hates me.”
“Don’t say that. He loves you. He did name you after all,” she hiccupped in response. “I love you, always know that.”
She proceeded to wrap her arms around my neck pressing her damp cheek against mine, “I love you more.”
My heart was breaking more and more each second.
Placing Trix in the arms of her father, I asked, “Where’s Trace?”
They all gave each other awkward glances before Silver spoke up, “Honey, he refused to come.”
My heart lurched in my chest, “What? Why?”
She just shook her head, we all knew why. It was obvious.
On instinct, I looked beyond the house and wasn’t surprised at what I saw. Trace standing there in his wolf form. His eyes glazed over with a glare.
I don’t know who he hated more. Julian for giving me the freedom that I no longer wanted or me for leaving him behind.
Both, probably.
Confusion clouding my mind, I allowed everyone to hug me and give their farewells.
Samantha didn’t say anything she just hugged me extra tight and looked away when she let go.
Silver said she was thankful for getting the chance to meet me. After all I was the one that got her away from that creep Cole.
James was last, when I was enveloped in his strong embrace, I could feel his strength and wisdom, “Keep in mind that everything happens for reason.”
I gave them all a weak smile sneaking a glance in the direction trace had been standing then slipping into the car look up into the front facing windows of the Clark manor I was going to miss more than they all knew.
The last thing I seen as I shut the door was the silhouette of Julian as he watched out the window with a grim look on his face that made my stomach twist uncomfortably giving me the impression that I had swallowed my heart.
As the car started down the long driveway toward the wrought iron gate I turned in my seat until they all disappeared into the foliage that secluded them from the rest of the world.
The last thing I saw was breath taking and heart shattering.
I watched as Trace sat just inside the lining of the tree’s as he let out the saddest and hopeless howl, leaving me feeling empty as I got further and further away from him.
The connection between us hadn’t seemed so potent these last couple of months. However, when distance was involved surely it wasn’t going to be easy to ignore.
I was flying high above the clouds now, getting further away and feeling more cracked and broken than ever.
As I stepped out into the heat of the summer New York sun, I slowly made it towards the car my mother had shown up in as the driver tucked my luggage away.
I had my shades on so my mother couldn’t see my bloodshot tears stained eyes as she wrapped me in a hug, “Welcome home, baby.”
When we were situated and the car started, I could help but play back her words as I took in the busy NYC scenery.
If home was wherever the heart was, I couldn’t help but imagine the broken pieces of what was left of my heart being swept up by the manor help as she cleaned the foyer.
Author's Note:
---> This as you know it is entered into the WattyAwards. I'm seriously hoping to gain all of my readers and fans support. So, please if you believe that this story is worth it, vote! Every vote counts so pleasse go back and vote the chapters you missed.
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