“Whoa there, Wolf Girl.”
We each jumped over to the bed, plopped down on our stomachs, and let the chatting begin.
“I need the scoop Samantha Loraine.” I used her middle name when I needed all seriousness. “I know you are in love, Girl, I see it in those eyes of yours. Can’t say I blame you though; he is a hottie.”
“Mmmmm, yes he is. It just hurts a lot to talk about it. I can’t have him. Everything feels so right between us though. We are so good for each other, except for that minor detail that I am not a wolf. Other than that, things are peachy,” she spoke sarcastically.
“I was afraid of this. I knew you were falling for him, and I can see it in him to. He has it bad for you.”
“You think so?” she asked jumping up and getting excited.
I shook my head yes and smiled at her. He looked at her with so much love in his eyes. Anyone within fifty yards of the two of them could see it. There were definite sparks. I felt sorry for the two of them.
“I want to ask you something Avery Jean,” she smiled. “I want you to think about this before you answer, please.”
“Okay, what is it?” I asked a little nervous at what she might say. It could be anything when it comes to Sam.
“You promise you won’t freak out.”
“Nope, you know me better than that. There will be a definite freak out, but I will try to refrain from acting like your mother.”
“Um, fine, I’ll take what I can get.” She took a deep breath. She kept her eyes on her folded hands that lay in her lap. She was really nervous to talk to me. This was a first. The longer she sat there the more nervous she made me.
“Spill it already; you’re killing me,” I yelled at her.
“I want you to exchange blood with me. Make me a wolf.” She still never looked me in the eyes.
“You must be joking. I cannot do that.”
“Why?” she said seriously. She really wanted to know why. I can’t believe she expected me to do this. She’s nuts.
“I will not do that to you for many reasons. I have never changed someone into a wolf. I don’t know if there are side effects. What if something went wrong? There would be no going back. You would be stuck this way. They have rules that say I can’t do that. It is so complicated. Even Mom has to be trained now that she is wolf. They will have to teach her all of the ways of the pack, and how to change from self to wolf, and vice versa. Also, what if I do this and you and Zander still are not mates. You would be an unmated wolf. If you were never to mate, you would go crazy and even die. I just can’t do that.”
The tears began to fall down her face. I felt like a horrible best friend. I cried with her. I broke her heart; her best friend let her down. “I don’t care,” she said. “I love Zander and it would be worth it for me to try. Even if we are not meant to be together, I still have to try.”
I shook my head. Then there was a knock on the door. When I opened it Zander stood on the other side. One hand held the bucket of ice cream and the other held the spoons. I took them off his hands as he walked into the room. As soon as he spotted an upset Sam, he was right there beside her.
I stood back and watched them together. He pulled her close to him and rubbed her head. They sat there for a moment before he pulled back. I watched as he wiped the tears from her face with his hands and kissed her cheek. She wouldn’t tell him what was wrong. I heard him tell her that it would be okay and then he said the sweetest thing. He placed his hand over his heart. He told her that she was the reason that his heart beat so steady now and that without her it would be no more.
The tears fell from my eyes now. It was an ugly cry; the kind where you had to blow your nose. “Okay, Sam, I’ll do it.”
She jumped up from the bed and ran to me. She nearly tackled me to the ground. “I love you, Ava. Thank you so much. You are the best.”
“What did I miss?” Zander said.
“You have to tell him. He has a right to know, and I need to know how much trouble I am about to get into.”
“Listen, Zander,” she began. “I asked Ava to change me into a wolf, and she just agreed.”
“Wait, you can’t do that, Sam.” He grabbed her hands. “Are you crazy? What if we aren’t mates?”
“You silly boy, we are. I know that we are. I can feel it. I want to do this. I want to be with you forever.”
“I can’t believe I want to agree with this,” he said. “I am acting selfish because I want you, too.”
“Then it’s settled. Don’t argue with me,” she growled at him then kissed him softly on the lips.
“Wait, so what will happen when we exchange blood, and how much trouble will I be in? I need to know before I do this.” I begged as I spoke to Zander directly.
“No trouble. I will see to it that you don’t. I will personally take all responsibility. Technically we are not supposed to change someone unless it is life or death, and even then it is frowned upon. But, I promise that I will not let you get into trouble.” He was smiling so big at me. I couldn’t believe I was going to do this.
“Okay, so how will this whole change up process go? Will she be in any pain?”
“No. Once you exchange blood, she will begin to run a fever. She will get really hot and start to sweat. Her body may also shake some.”
“Oh, I know those shakes. Not fun,” I said, butting in.
He laughed. “Then she will go to sleep. She will sleep for a while, actually for hours, just like your mom did. Then once she wakes up she will be groggy and disoriented for a couple of days. Then all of her senses will be heightened and she will be even more beautiful then she is today. It is a very quick process.”
“I’m ready,” she jumped in allowing us her two cents.
“What about your parents?” I asked her.
“You know that my parents are traveling the world. They have been absentee parents my entire life. They will never know. It’s not like I will be a vampire. I won’t change that much,” she pleaded.
“Let’s do this then.” I said.
She screamed. She was bouncing up and down excitedly.
“Listen, I got to make a couple of pit stops before we do this. I want to be with you every moment of this, so I need to go talk to them before I can give you all my attention.”
“Sure thing, Wilma,” She came over to me and gave me a hug. “It will all work out. I promise you.” I nodded before leaving them alone.
Chapter Twenty When I closed the door behind me, I set off on a mission. I opened my mind up completely and then spoke to them. I need to talk to both of you. It is important. Can we meet outside somewhere?
Zee spoke up first. There are picnic tables on the lawn out back. Do you want to meet there?
I asked Gage, and he agreed. That’s fine. I will meet you there.
I walked slowly. I wanted them to get there first. The sitting area on the main floor had large sliding glass doors that led to the back lawn. I walked out and saw them waiting there for me. Neither of them was looking at each other, only at me.
“Hey,” I spoke as I walked closer to the table where they sat. Both of them stood up when I approached. I motioned for them to sit.
“I wanted you both to know that I spoke to the Alpha tonight about our situation. It is true that I am a freak but I am also not alone. Turns out that Grandma Oma also shared the ability to hear more than one thought at a time. It turns out that this is a glitch in half human, half wolf, breeds. Aren’t I the lucky one?”
“So there is some resolution to this?” Gage asked.
“We believe so. Oma is coming for a visit to speak to me about the process and how to figure this out. She should be here in the next couple of days.”
“Okay,” Zenick responded, “it will be nice to see her.”
“I was also given some advice at the meeting. I was told that my wolf won’t decide my mate, because I have no connection with it and since I barely know either of you, I am supposed to get to know you, both of you.
”
“What? You are going to date both of us?” Zenick spoke up.
“I don’t know. That’s why I am talking to you now. Do you have any better suggestions?”
Both guys shook their heads. “I am lost right now. I didn’t know I could have feelings like these for two people. My heart is torn completely in half, and it has to be whole in order to give it away. I don’t want to hurt either of you. It is not my intentions.” I paused to catch my breath. “I’m truly sorry for all of this. I don’t know what else to do.”
“I’ll agree.” Gage looked at me intently. “If this is what it takes, and you have to date us both, then I’ll agree. The corners of his mouth rose slightly. It wasn’t a full smile but it felt reassuring.
“Fine,” Zenick spoke up, “I want to be with you, so if I have to share you then fine. I’ll agree too.” He looked me deeply in my eyes.
What a relief it was to know that they each cared so deeply about me. They trusted my decisions. My heart hurt a little less. I couldn’t stick around to see if they changed their mind. I had to get to Sam.
“I have to go be with Sam now. You both can come if you want.” I turned around and walked away to leave the table. They both followed.
“What is wrong with Sam?” Zenick asked.
“I am turning her into a wolf.”
“No, no, no… You can’t do that. Have you gone mad, Love?” Zenick jumped in front of me to stop me in my tracks.
“You can’t,” Gage chimed in. “It’s breaking the rules.”
I waved my hands around at them, making sure they got my point. “The two of them are in love, deeply in love. Who am I to stand in the way of their happiness? They deserve a shot, and I will give it to them. I’ve made up my mind.” I was using my most serious voice. “Now are you guys going to move, or would you like the famous kick to the face.”
They each laughed at me, but both stepped aside. I was on a mission for true love. She has been there for me always, and I would be there for her now.
When we got back to Sam’s room, she was ready. She had changed into her pajamas and gotten in bed. Zander sat next to her, holding her hand.
“I see you brought me an audience.” She smiled and then stuck her tongue out at me.
I flipped her the bird. She laughed not expecting anything less. I went to the opposite side of the bed and sat down next to her. “Are you ready?”
“Yep.”
She held her wrist out for me and I took it. I bit down as gently as I could. The taste of her blood on my tongue was not disgusting. I thought it would make me sick, but not at all. It was warm and rusty. I could handle it. I pulled away quickly when I heard the guys behind me. They seemed to be enjoying the show. “Are you okay?”
“I am just fine. My turn,” she said smiling and laughing.
“Bite me,” I handed over my wrist. I felt just a little sting and when she sucked in, I felt invigorated, like a tingling sensation. It wasn’t unpleasant at all and was over quickly.
I sat there beside her and watched. It only took a few minutes for her temperature to rise and for her to break a sweat. She held my hand tightly. Zen kept us supplied in cool cloths. She was doing wonderfully. I whispered to her that I wouldn’t leave her side just before she drifted off to sleep. I would sit there with her as long as she needed me. She was my rock and I would be hers.
***
I was still by her side ten hours later. I wasn’t leaving her. Zander had left once to go and tell the Alpha what I had done. He was gone for two hours, so I was definitely afraid of what he might do. Zander told me that he would take all of the blame, and I was hoping that it worked.
When he got back to the room he was all smiles. “It worked. I had to use my poor mother to help me persuade him, but it worked. He isn’t mad, and he is on his way up to check on her.” Zander was so happy. It showed all over his face, and I couldn’t help but be happy too.
“Avery,” Zorin said as he walked in.
“Alpha,” I bowed my head.
“We won’t discuss this turn of events. I see she is doing wonderfully. I wanted to tell you that the pack trial is set for Friday at eight am. You must be present, no exceptions. That is five days. She will be locked up here the entire time, but I can assure you that she will be watched twenty-four hours a day.”
“I’m not worried, and I will be ready for trial.”
“Very well,” he said as he walked out of the room. Zander smiled at me and then followed after him.
Sam and I were left alone. I spoke to her often not knowing for sure if she could hear me. I wanted her to know that I was there.
“Well, Sam, both Zee and Gage have agreed to date me at the same time. Can you believe it? I can remember when things used to be so simple. Now it is freaking complicated. I love them both so much. I need your advice. You need to tell me which one you like more. I need the 411. You have your work cut out for you when you get up. Plus, we have to go to trial for crazy Paige in five days.” I ran my fingers through her hair.
“Zander is so excited for you becoming a wolf. He hasn’t stopped smiling. I can’t wait for you to wake up and be with him. You deserve happiness.”
I quit talking when I heard the door open. It was Zenick. He closed the door behind him when he came in. I met him halfway across the floor because of the concerned look on his face. He scared me.
“What’s wrong, Zee?” I asked.
He didn’t speak. He leaned in close and kissed me; a kiss of longing and desire. I needed that kiss. It felt so good. He left me wanting more when he pulled away. My eyes were still closed. I ran my finger tips over my lips, wanting to savor every last memory of it.
“What was that for?”
“I want your thoughts to be about me for the rest of the day. I want it to be my face that you see when you close your eyes, my breath that lingers on your skin, my tongue that caresses yours, and my heart that you choose not to break in the end.” He ran his hand down my cheek before turning to walk away.
It was hard watching him walk away. My emotions were all stirred up, and once again I was left crying. I went to the bed where Sam was and crawled in next to her. I lay my head on her shoulder and sobbed. I was so confused.
I felt Sam move under me and I jerked up quickly to watch her open her eyes. She hugged me tightly. “You will make the right choice, I know it,” she mumbled softly.
“I am not sure, Wolf Girl.” I replied, and I held her tightly to me.
The End of Book One…
Stay tuned for:
Challenged
The Graysen Pack Series
Book Two
By: Regina Bartley
Chased (The Graysen Pack Series) Page 13