by Simone Elise
“So?” I arched both eyebrows. There is a pack meeting every month.
“This one we are welcoming new members.” Dad’s eyes were studying my reaction, but I didn’t know what I was meant to be reacting to. It isn’t unusual for new members to be introduced to the pack. In fact, it was common.
“Maddison I am guessing.” I nodded my head. Dan would be nervous. It was a big thing, the first time everyone would meet her. “I will make sure to be at her side tonight and make it easier on her. Was that all?”
“No, Chloe, it’s not.” Dad moved in his seat, placing his coffee cup on the coffee table. “I think it is best if you didn’t come to this pack meeting.”
I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t count how many times I had tried to get out of pack meetings. But I was always dragged to the boring things.
“Really? Why?” I frowned. Was I missing something? Dad was actually willingly letting me off the pack meeting tonight? What was the catch?
“Well, Maddison isn’t the only new member.” Dad looked me in the eye, as if there was something I was missing. But I had no idea what it was. “Emily will be attending too.”
My stomach dropped.
“You have to be kidding me?”
“Emily and Maddison are both human it would be desirable if they formed a relationship. They are both experiencing the same thing.”
“So, let me get this straight.” I gritted my teeth. “Emily not only got my mate, but now I am being asked not to attend my own pack meeting at my house because of her?”
“Chloe.” Dad’s voice rose with authority. “You know it would be easier if you weren’t there.”
“Right,” I scoffed. “God forbid Emily feels unwelcome.” Crossing my arms, I glared at the carpet. This was just my luck. Emily was slowing kicking me out of everywhere.
“It will be best for both of you. And you hate going to the meetings,” Dad pointed out.
“So? That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be able to go!”
“Chloe, drop it.” Dad pursed his lips. “It’s decided.”
I scoffed, shaking my head. I hated Emily and I hated Xavier just as much right now.
“What does it matter, Chloe?” Alec spoke up, and I turned to look at him. Why was he so angry? He wasn’t the one being kicked out tonight.
“It’s my home.”
“It’s a few hours. You can come home when it is finished.” Alec’s voice was firm. Maybe this was what had been bothering him? I glanced at Dad and then back at Alec. But how?
“You knew didn’t you? How?”
“I ran into Alec last night, on his run.” Dad answered my question and it flared anger inside of me. “I thought it was best that he knew.”
“I hope you had a nice chat then,” I snapped and pushed myself slightly away from Alec.
“Can you hear yourself?” Alec looked at me, mildly disgusted with my attitude. “You keep telling me you are over him. But look at you! You are all upset because you don’t get to see him tonight?”
“It’s not him. It’s Emily!”
“Right.” Alec stood up, fuming. “You’re mad because you can’t go to the meeting to see him with his wife. That makes real sense, Chloe.”
“Where are you going?” I snapped at him, watching him walk out of the room.
“Why should I stay?” Alec snapped back at me over his shoulder. “It’s clear what you really want.”
My mouth opened. How had this happened? I jumped when the front door slammed. I looked at Dad and he was shaking his head, as if disappointed with me.
“What?” I yelled, my fingers curling into a tight fist. “You caused this.”
“No, Chloe.” Dad stood up too, looking down at me. “You did.” With those simple words he walked out, closely followed by Mom.
Was Alec right? Was I upset because I didn’t get to see Xavier tonight? I knew a part of me was struggling to move on from him, I knew it had to be done. But…I was coming to terms with it. Especially when I was with Alec. Alec wiped the pain from my mind, he was, no, he is my source of sunlight.
I had just made a huge mistake.
Sighing heavily, I thought I shouldn’t have bothered to get up this morning.
***
Closing my bedroom door, I fiddled with the keys in my hand. Finally, I was swallowing the guilt in my stomach and going to find Alec. At first, I thought I should give him time to cool off, but it wasn’t until just after supper that I finally admitted I was feeling too guilty about how I reacted. That was the true reason I hadn’t tracked him down.
I heard the crunching of gravel as cars began to arrive. Why did I have to leave it so late to finally have the guts to go find him?
Walking down the stairs, I felt him before I saw him. Here I was thinking I would make it out without being noticed.
“Chloe, is that you?” Emily smiled warmly at me, clearly relieved to see a friendly face. Little did she know I couldn’t stand her.
“Hi Emily, Mr. Clark.” I nodded my head at both of them.
“Chloe, your parents informed the school you were sick.” Xavier’s moody eyes were raking mine for answers and drawing in my presence, as if he suddenly were able to breathe upon seeing me.
Yeah, sick of putting up with you, I thought to myself.
“Yes, but I’m feeling better. I will be back in school Monday.” I scoffed to myself. “Well, I have to go. It was nice to see you both.”
If I could have run, I would’ve, but luck would have it that Dan and Maddison turned the corner just then and Dan’s eyes locked with mine for a split moment. I knew I wasn’t going anywhere now.
“Dan.” I smiled warmly. “Maddison.”
“Chloe, where did you disappear to this morning?” Dan pulled Maddison into his side, still smiling broadly. “Alec’s been in a foul mood all day.”
Oh lord, I had caused Alec to be angry because of this. This was my fault entirely.
“Look, I have to go.” I gave him a small smile and with no more explanation I headed for the door.
Closing the door behind me, I jogged to my car. I had to find Alec. I had to reassure him. He was my source of sunlight and it was getting darker every second I was away from him.
***
Pulling up out front of Alec’s house, I saw it was dead. Not one light was on, and not one car was in the driveway. I knew Dan and his parents would be at my house, but where was Alec?
As if on cue my phone began to vibrate in my pocket. Pulling it out and seeing Dan’s name flashing was just plain freaky. I flicked the phone open.
“I just pulled up outside your house, and now you’re calling me. Talk about good timing Dan.”
“Yeah, I had a feeling you were heading there.” Dan’s voice was friendly like always. Maddison was really a good influence over him, though looking back Dan was always happy.
“Yeah, where is Alec?”
“He headed out about the same time as us. He was going to have beers with his mates at the Shuttle Bar in Mair Street.”
“Thanks, Dan.”
“No worries, Chloe. Have a good night.”
I closed the phone and started the car. At least I was wearing something appropriate for going out. I was thankful that I hadn’t put on something casual. I knew the bar he was at. It was only a few blocks away.
Alec must be blowing stream off. I couldn’t stop the nerves bubbling in my stomach. This was our first fight. I was hoping that once I explained my situation to Alec, it would work out. But what if it didn’t? What if Alec was over the drama with me, and wanted to call it quits. It was true that I came with a lot of baggage.
Damn Xavier. I gritted my teeth. I was madder with myself. Why did I act like I did?
I turned into Mair Street and took the first parking place I saw. I jumped out of my car, quickly walking along the sidewalk. I hadn’t been out in a while and had forgotten how busy the streets were. People were laughing everywher
e; the smell of alcohol was thick in the air.
I walked into the bar, my eyes searching the crowds for Alec. Where the heck was he? Finally, I spotted him, at a pool table.
Leaning against his pool cue, he looked relaxed. Chewing my bottom lip, I walked over to the bar and sat on a stool. I glanced in Alec’s direction, and, to my slight surprise, he was staring directly at me.
I slowly put my hand up and waved in his direction. The smile that was on his face disappeared and a stern look replaced it. His eyes were furious. His look was hard. I had never seen it before.
“Did you want something?”
I glanced at the barman, who was looking at me with complete annoyance.
“No, I’m fine.” I answered before gulping and looking away from Alec. He was making his way across the room towards me.
“Chloe.” Alec pulled a bar stool up next to me.
“Alec.” I turned around to look at him. This was it, time to make up for the damage I had done. Though Alec’s furious look was causing me to wonder if I should bother. Exhaling sharply, I said, “I’m sorry, Alec. I really am. I didn’t mean it the way it seemed.”
Alec’s eyes were studying mine, as if he were looking for a lie in them. Maybe I shouldn’t have tracked him down. After all, he deserved to have a night with his friends. I had ruined his day.
I got up from the stool, ready to leave. “I’ll go, and let you be with your friends. Again, I’m sorry, Alec.”
“Don’t go, Chloe.” Alec grabbed my wrist, stopping me from leaving. “I’m not mad at you.”
“Don’t lie.” I gulped. His touch was distracting me. “You have a right to be.”
“It’s my fault.” Alec dropped my wrist. “I shouldn’t expect you to be over him.” I caught the tint of sadness in his eyes.
“No, you were right.” I shook my head. “I was wrong.” I couldn’t believe we were arguing over this, even worse because I caused it.
“So did you see him?” Alec asked before downing the rest of his beer. I sat back down on the stool.
“Yes, briefly. When I was leaving to find you.”
“You could have stayed and talked to him.” Alec pushed the empty glass away from him and gestured for a refill. Why was he so understanding? I didn’t deserve it.
“Alec.” I placed my hand on his knee. “I don’t want Xavier.” I leaned into him, placing my lips on his cheek. “You don’t have to worry.”
“I think I will always worry about you.” Alec wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me to him. “Let’s get out of here.”
“No.” I glanced over his shoulder seeing his friends waiting. “Go be with your friends. I’ll see you when you get home.”
“No, I want you to stay.” Alec’s eyes pleaded with me. “I hate fighting with you.”
“Well, we aren’t fighting anymore.” I smiled at him. “I’ll see you when I get home.”
“Ok.” Alec sighed heavily. “I’ll try to ditch them.”
“Go have a good night with your friends. I’ll wait for you.”
“In my bed?” Alec winked, with a smirk.
“Yes, in your bed.” I leaned close to his ear. “Fully clothed.”
Alec chuckled, and I gave him a small wink before I turned to leave. I didn’t think it would have been possible to wipe the smile from my face.
Chapter 29
I searched through the mountain of clothes on Alec’s couch. It just so happened that all the clothes that covered the couch were mine. I hurled a pair of jeans on the floor, huffing.
“That’s it. I’m not going!” I crossed my arms and fell back onto the couch.
Alec was leaning against the head of the bed, his charming smirk on his face and amusement in his eyes as he watched me trash his room. He hadn’t got out of bed yet. I watched his bare muscles flex as he stretched his arms. Gosh, that is inhumane.
“Pull the blankets up or something. Stop tempting me.” I smirked in his direction. His rumble of a chuckle turned my smirk into a full smile.
“Chloe, would you just get dressed? You’re going to be late for school.” Alec winked at me.
“I can’t. I have nothing to wear.”
Alec threw the blankets back and stumbled over to me. It took all my strength not to look at his muscles and defined upper body.
“Here.” He handed me a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, the first two things his hands landed on.
I took them from him, and suddenly a wave of nerves washed over me. “I don’t know how I’m going to do it.” I stared at the ground. “I don’t want to go.”
“Chloe, you will be fine. I promise.” Alec dropped to his knees in front of me, placing a hand on my knee, looking up at me. “I won’t let him get to you.”
My hand automatically cupped his cheek, looking down at him. What did I do to deserve him? “Thanks.” His reassurance smoothed my nerves slightly.
“Now, get dressed, buttercup.” He kissed my forehead before he stood up.
Looks like I couldn’t put it off any longer. I walked to the bathroom. It was time to get ready for school, as much as I didn’t want to.
***
I gripped the textbooks tightly as I walked into Xavier’s classroom. I made a beeline for the back, dropping my textbooks on the desk, and slid into a chair. Everyone was chatting and catching up about what they did over the weekend. I was really out of the loop.
No students looked at me. I was beginning to think maybe I was invisible to them now, which I was silently thankful for.
Xavier walked in and the classroom went silent. I swallowed hard. I just wanted this to be over already.
The school bell rang. I was praying Xavier wouldn’t notice me. Though that prayer landed on deaf ears.
“Chloe, it’s nice to see you back.” Xavier was looking in my direction. I could feel it, but I didn’t pull my eyes up from the desk.
Just don’t look at him, just don’t look at him, I repeated silently to myself over and over.
“Chloe, after class you can come talk to me about the assignments you have missed.”
I nodded my head, noting the frustration in his voice, since I wouldn’t look at him. How could I? I would be drawn back into his spell. Xavier had the ability to blind me, filling my mind with only desires.
If only Dan was here, he could be my human shield. But he wouldn’t leave Maddison. I was sort of angry with him for it. But I guess I had no right to be. Maddison came first.
Xavier only spoke a few words before there was a knock on the door. Curiosity got the better of me, and, for the first time since I walked in the classroom, I looked up to see who was interrupting us at the beginning of the period.
When I saw it was the principal I hoped that I hadn’t caused the visit.
“Sorry Mr. Clark, but I just had to show Alec the way to Chloe’s classroom.” The principal smiled at Xavier, while my eyes doubled in size.
Xavier shot a quick glance in my direction before looking at the principal. Alec’s familiar body stepped into the classroom and the pen I was holding dropped to my desk.
“Why?” Xavier’s professional voice was gone. Clearly, he was angry to see this guy wanting to see me.
“This is Chloe’s tutor. Her parents organized it. Seeing as Chloe has had so much time off, it was only fair. Well, I don’t want to hold class up any longer. Alec, as you can see, Chloe is in the back.”
Alec nodded his head at the principal and smugly walked past Xavier and through the middle of the classroom to me. I think he was aware that every female had her eyes glued on him. He was always one to draw attention.
He dragged a chair to sit beside me. My mouth was still slightly open. How the heck had he managed to pull this off? Why didn’t he tell me he was planning this?
“So, Chloe, what are we working on?” Alec looked at my workbook, which was blank. He was trying to act professional, but that slight smirk on his face was teasing me. “Well, tha
t’s what I would have expected.”
Alec looked up at me, amused. Clearly, he was teasing me. I remembered how he thought I was stupid. I had forgotten all about our last attempt at tutoring, though now the memories came flashing back to me.
“Well, Ace. Good thing you showed up.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “I thought you were over that nickname.”
I shrugged my shoulders, looking at him with a wicked grin. All the doom and gloom from before was now gone. Alec was here and in my mind the sun was back.
“Well, Alec, as long as you don’t interrupt my teaching, I see no problem with you being in my classroom.” Xavier spoke loudly, showing his authority.
Alec looked away from me, staring directly up the front of the classroom at Xavier. “You won’t even know I’m here,” He said coolly.
Alec slipped his hand under my desk and placed it on my knee. I noticed the challenging look he was giving Xavier. “I’m just here to help Chloe.”
Xavier pursed his lips, his jaw tightly clenched. “Well, let’s get back to the lesson.”
The cold look Alec was giving Xavier started to turn deadly. Placing one hand on the table, I gently placed the other over Alec’s on my knee.
I was trying to reassure him he had nothing to worry about. As soon as my hand touched his, his headed snapped back to me and his expression automatically softened.
“Well, Chloe, pull your textbook out,” he smirked at me. The deadly look that was on his face before now gone.
“Whatever you say, Ace.” I pulled my textbook towards me, and he rolled his eyes at the old nickname.
Xavier started the lesson back up and I was thankful that my human shield was here. Alec kept his word this morning. He wouldn’t let Xavier get to me.
What did I ever do to deserve Alec? I thought to myself again today. Whatever it was, I was thankful I had done it. I gave Alec’s hand a slight squeeze under the table. I could never thank him enough for this.
Chapter 30
Alec
The school bell chimed, and Chloe clumsily collected her stuff. She hadn’t done anything for the entire period. Clearly, her mind was elsewhere. I hadn’t even bothered trying to get her to focus, because I knew it was pissing Xavier off.