#Chapter 51: Communication is Key
#Chapter 51: Communication is Key
After our walk, it occurs to me I never called my mom. I bet she’s freaking out right now!
Alex walks me back to his parents‘ house. No one is home, so I have some privacy.
If I had any doubt that Mom was worried before, the fact she picked it up before the first ring ended has dispelled
- it.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Cynthia! I was so worried! What took you so long to call?”
“I’m sssorry, Mom. There. Was a lot. To do.”
“But you’re okay–and everyone is safe?”
“Yesss, Mom. We’re okay.”
I hear a sigh through the phone. I feel bad. Even with everything going on, I can’t believe I forgot her.
Her voice becomes stern, her tone deep. “Cynthia, this only works if you keep our deal.”
“I–I know. Sorrr–ry.”
“Can you tell me where you are?”
“I don’t. Know where. Mount’ns.”
“Okay. Make sure you leave your phone on all the time, so I can locate you if I have to.”
“If,” I say with emphasis, to remind her that it was her last resort.
“Yes–only if.”
“Love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too, baby.”
“I’ll call tomorrow.”
“Okay…bye sweetie.”
“Bye, Mom.”
I see I have several missed calls and texts…all from Hailey; but I can only endure one guilt trip at a time, so I slide my phone into my back pocket. I’ll deal with her later.
I look up and see Alex standing in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, watching me. “She was angry, huh?”
I shrug, not really wanting to talk about it. “A little. I…feel bad.”
“Ah–hah.” The golden glow in his eyes sparks. Alex unfolds his arms and crosses the room to where I’m sitting on the couch.
I am truly mesmerized by him. His movements are fluid but powerful, and now I imagine I can see the wolf in him.
Only it’s not frightening at all. It actually kind of makes him sexier.
Alex sits down beside me and puts an arm around my shoulders. “I don’t know everything, but I know
mom haven’t had an easy time. I promise I’m going to get you back to her.”
your
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#Chapter 51: Communication is key
He kisses me on the forehead, and I know he believes his promise.
I lean my head on his shoulder. I only hope I can believe then.
Before anything else could happen, like…let’s say…a real kiss, Rita traverses the doorway with the authority of someone who knows she can do whatever she wants.
It annoys me. Then again, she belongs here…and I don’t.
“It’s time,” she tells Alex, barely giving me a wayward glance.
Alex pulls his arm away, leaving a cold spot where his warmth had been. “I promise I won’t be long,” he says with a sad smile.
He walks toward the door but turns before he leaves. “I promise won’t be long. We’ll get you settled when I get back.”
Then he’s gone–and Rita’s not.
Before I can ask anything, she rolls her eyes and walks past me. “I have to stay behind to babysit you.”
Now I don’t know what to say to that. Why??? Why do I need a babysitter? I mean, where am I going to go when I know some supernatural species may be hunting me down?
Sure, I may be a burden, but I’m not hers. Of course, I don’t say any of that because I don’t want to piss her off.
Instead: “Sssooo…”
But she ignores me and disappears into the kitchen.
I sit there frustrated. I mean, what have I gotten myself into? Why is this happening to me instead of one of the other girls who so desperately clung to Alex?
And why won’t anyone tell me what is going on?
The meeting hall at the center of the base has a room at the back where formal meetings are held. As I approach, I hear voices. The hall is well–lit in contrast with the meeting room, which would be dark inside if not for the flashes of orange and yellow flickering within the doorway I can already smell the overpowering scent of pine and sage before I enter.
This is how they’re playing it. I wanted to discuss this with my parents. Alone. Now, here I am facing the Council of Elders in the High Room.
I already know how this will go down, and I enter with the resolve of someone who is ready to argue. Even though I know they won’t listen.
Seated in chairs arranged around a small indoor fire, are my parents and the six elders.
Only there are nine seats total. One is empty: Michael’s.
Having realized this is a formal meeting, I fall to one knee, make eye contact with each elder, and greet them by name. “Father, Mother, Arnulf, Wulfgar, Anwen, Owein, Maiyyun, Weylyn.”
“Greetings, Alex,” Owein, the eldest here, says. He is a round man with a long grey beard, from one of the original Ayzena packs.
He reaches his hand toward me, palm up, and raises it signaling for me to rise.
“We heard of the manner of your arrival. What news do you bring?”
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#Chapter 51: Communication is Key
I link my hands behind my back, taking a drill stance. “I’m sure you have already heard.”
“Yes–but we would like to hear it from you.”
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