Chapter 42
Hours later, the girls, and I were on the rooftop garden, flipping through their hoard of magazines, and enjoying the beautiful spring day. We heard Abraham’s angry steps, and harsh breathing before we saw him.
“What are you doing up here?” he barked.
Without looking up from her copy of Cosmo, Del replied, “Practicin’ for that double dutch tournament comin’ up. You wanna’ turn?”
We all remained silent as Del’s words sunk in. It was Evey’s bark of laughter that broke the silence first. I hid my smile behind the issue of Vogue I was reading. Abraham growled and stomped over to me.
“I’m not in the mood for your smart ass attitude, Delilah.”
She flipped a page slowly. “And I’m not in the mood for your pissy bullshit. We can’t all get what we want, Abey.”
He growled again, and Callie hopped up from her seat. “All right you two, cut it out. We’re all stressed and taking it out on the wrong people.”
“I’m not stressed. I’m just sick of him,” Del poked a thumb over her shoulder at Abraham who was still growling low in the back of his throat.
“Del,” Callie warned with a glare before turning back to Abraham. “What was it you wanted, Abey?”
“First, I’d like to know why the four of you are sitting out here, in the open, when I told you to keep her protected.” He jabbed a finger in my direction.
Del put her magazine down and scanned our surroundings. “Abraham, we’re four floors up. What, did you want us to lock her in the basement?” She scoffed. “Be realistic. Nothin’s gonna’ happen to her all the way up here, and you’ve got your enforcers prowlin’ the property. I know she’s your mate, but you need to ease up. She’s as safe up here as she is anywhere else.”
Abraham opened his mouth to argue, but Callie interrupted. “What else did you want?”
He closed his mouth with a snap, dark brows furrowed over flashing blue eyes. He pointed to me again. “Her.” He finally looked at me. “Let’s go,” he grumbled before stomping off.
Did he expect me to just follow him? I don’t take orders from anyone.
My shoulders stiffened as my hackles rose, just begging for a fight. Evey placed a hand on my tensed back and spoke softly. “You better go. When he’s in a state like this, it’s better to just do as he says.”
Del scoffed from her seat across from us. “Looks like old Abey’s back. I was really startin’ to like the new one too,” she mused, voice cool, but blue eyes flashing in undisguised anger.
“The old Abraham?” I asked.
The three girls nodded. “He’s been much more mellow since he met you,” Evey confided.
“Nicer too,” Del added.
“Elizabeth!” he bellowed from the bottom of the stairs, and I jumped in surprise.
“Go on, we’ll catch up with you later,” Evey said, pushing me toward the stairwell.
I slammed my magazine on the table, and stalked off in his direction, ready to give him a piece of my mind. This grouchy alpha bullshit wasn’t going to fly with me.
“Go get em’, girl,” Del called, spurring me on.
I got to the bottom of the stairs, but Abraham had already disappeared. His scent was still present though, and I followed it to my room. I walked into a flurry of activity.
Abraham was pulling clothing from my drawers, and throwing them into my empty suitcase, his movements quick and jerky. “Hey!” I called. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Packing.”
My blood pressure rose a few degrees. “I see that,” I said carefully. “But why are you packing my things?”
A sudden thought hit me, and all the anger fled my body as uncertainty crept in.
Was he trying to get rid of me?
Was I too much trouble to deal with?
He stopped suddenly, cocking his head and looking at me. “What are you thinking?”
I swallowed harshly. “Why are you packing my things?”
He ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “We need to leave.”
My heart started beating again.
“We’re leaving?”
He frowned. “Yes, of course.” He stared at me harder. “What did you think?”
I averted my gaze, choosing to study the tan carpet beneath my scuffed sneakers. When I didn’t answer, he sighed, and walked across the room to pull me into his arms. “What’s goin’ on in that pretty head of yours?” he asked, voice softer.
I shook my head, not willing to answer.
Not willing to bear my soul.
Not willing to show him how deep my insecurities ran.
If only he knew what had happened the last time I’d walked in to find someone packing my things.
One of his thick calloused fingers tipped my chin until I met his eyes. “Hey, talk to me.”
I held his gaze and made a decision.
If I wanted this, wanted him, I would have to open up. Let down those walls instead of just opening a door. Let him in.
I took a deep breath and confessed. “I thought maybe you were tryin’ to get rid of me.”
His eyes widened, mouth falling open. He closed it, and opened it back up a few times, seemingly at a loss for words. Finally, he pulled me into his arms, crushing me against his hard chest until I could feel the beat of his heart thumping in time with mine. “Elizabeth,” he started, cleared his throat, and tried again. “Baby, never.”
He pulled back until he could see my eyes, his swimming with guilt. “I’m sorry you thought that for even a second.” He leaned in closer until the tip of his nose touched mine. “You’re never getting rid of me, you hear me? Never.” He kissed my lips sweetly and pulled back with a humorless laugh. “El, if you only knew…” he trailed off, and cleared his throat with a shake of his head. I watched as his eyes wavered for a few seconds before solidifying with a decision. “In case you haven’t figured it out yet, let me make something clear for you. This thing here,” he motioned between us, “is forever.”
Forever?
That word echoed inside me, growing louder as it ricocheted around my head. It made my heart pound erratically, and I wasn’t sure if it was from fear, or something else, but it felt warm. Like hot fudge dripping down the inside of my chest, coating my interior.
I couldn’t find the words to reply to his bold statement, so I focused on something else. “If you’re not sending me away, then why are you in here packing my things?”
“Sending you away?” he asked incredulously, pulling me close again, and kissing the top of my head. He sighed loudly, his breath ruffling my hair. “I’m sorry, El. I feel like I’m losing control. Like I’m losing my mind.”
He pulled away and began pacing. “Having him that close to you again, knowing he was out in those woods with you nearby, that he’s a member of my own goddamn pack is killing me.” He grabbed the shirt over his abdomen, stretching the fabric between his big hands. “Gutting me. I need to get you away from here. He obviously knows you’re here, and we need to move you. You were right, he probably doesn’t know where you live in Raleigh, so you’ll be safer there. We’re leaving as soon as you’re packed and taking Wes and Wyatt with us for extra protection.”
I frowned. “Do you think that’s necessary?”
He stopped pacing to stare at me incredulously. “I’m not taking any chances. I’ll never put your life in jeopardy like that again. If I’d have known he’d made you a target, I never would've taken you out to our lake alone. I never would’ve done something so reckless. I just didn’t know…” he trailed off, looking lost.
I couldn’t help myself. I could feel how upset and out of control he was feeling, and all I wanted to do was make it better. Covering the distance between us in just a few steps, I wrapped my arms around his waist, and held on tight, hoping to transfuse some of my strength, and surety in his abilities into him. “I know, Abraham. I know you’d never let anything happen to me.” I pulled back to look at his handsome face drawn and creased with worry. “I trust you.”
He smiled, and held me for a few moments before pulling away, and returning to my suitcase. “I wish I was as confident in my abilities as you are, El,” he said as he stuffed more clothes into my half-full bag. “Unfortunately, I keep underestimating this guy.” He shook his head. “Never again.” His words were like a vow. Whether they were for himself or me, I wasn’t sure.
“Why Wes and Wyatt? Couldn’t one of them be the killer?” I winced at my words, but knew I needed to ask.
Abraham shook his head. “Honestly? I don’t know anything. But, Wes and Wyatt got here a while after the murders started, so I figured they were the least likely suspects.”
I should have known Abraham would have a good reason behind making a decision like that.
I walked over, and placed a hand on his tan arm, halting his poor packing job. “Go get your things together, I’ve got this.”
He smiled at me gratefully and was across the room in the blink of an eye. “We leave in five,” he called over his shoulder.
Exactly five minutes later, we were downstairs, saying goodbye to his sisters as Wes and Wyatt loaded their bags into the bed of Abraham’s truck.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving already,” Evey complained, her thin, but strong arms tight around my neck, her warm vanilla scent surrounding us. I hugged her just as fiercely, taking a minute to marvel at how far I’d come in less than a month.
“I know, but I’ll be back Thursday for the full moon,” I reminded her.
Before I met the McCoys, hugging was one of my least favorite things to do, and I avoided it like the plague. The old Elizabeth never knew how hard to squeeze someone, or how long it was supposed to last, or where to put my hands. Now, it was like second nature to be close to people. The new Elizabeth loved the affection and warmth she received from every person that embraced her. Especially this family. Somewhere along the line, they’d become my family too.
Well, most of them.
“I still don’t understand why you need to leave. Can’t you just send her with Wyatt and Wesley? They’re more than capable of protecting one little human,” Beatrice sniped from nearby.
Abraham answered between gritted teeth. “Because, her safety is my responsibility. She won’t be going anywhere without me.”
“Your responsibility is to your pack,” she argued.
Abraham growled. “My responsibility is, and always will be to my mate first. My family comes second, and my pack comes third. That’s the way it is, Beatrice, so get used to it.”
Beatrice’s eyes flashed dangerously. “You’d put this girl you’ve just met before your family? Your pack?”
Abraham met her gaze head on. “Every. Time.” His words were clipped, and fully enunciated, and crystal clear.
My stomach rolled at the siblings' harsh words to each other. I didn’t want to be the cause of their strife. Didn’t want anyone to go out of their way for me.
Del pulled me into her arms next, her spicy cinnamon scent filling my nostrils. “Don’t worry about her, she’s just a bitch.” Beatrice growled, and stormed off, but Del ignored her. “And, don’t let him get away with being an asshole,” she advised. I laughed into her shoulder. I really liked this girl. And her filthy mouth. It seemed I’d been picking up a fair amount from her lately, and I wasn’t sure if that was a bad thing or not.
Next was Callie, her sweet rose scent preceding her. “Stay safe,” she said softly. It sounded like more a request than a demand, and that was so like soft spoken Callie that it made me smile into her frizzy hair.
“I will,” I promised.
Abraham was there next, grasping my arm, and pulling me toward his truck. “If you guys need me, you can call any time. You know Bea’s in charge while I’m gone.”
“Why is Beatrice in charge?” I asked as Abraham started down the long steep drive.
“That’s what a beta’s for.”
“She’s your beta?” I asked. How had I never known this? He nodded as his eyes scanned the darkening scenery around us. “Is nepotism common among werewolves?”
A burst of laughter came from one of the fair-haired brothers behind us, and I caught a small smile on Abraham’s face. “To be honest? Yes, it is. Family is important to werewolves. But, with Bea that’s not the case. She won that position fair and square.”
“How do you win a beta position?”
“You fight.”
My eyes widened. “Everybody?”
He shook his head, smile growing. “No, just the ones who want to be beta.”
I nodded, as I let that information settle in. “So it’s kind of like letting job applicants arm wrestle for the position they’re up for?”
Both brothers laughed loudly.
“Good analogy.”
“So how many people did Beatrice beat to win the beta position?”
His smile vanished, hands tightening around the wheel. “I believe there were ten.”
“Wow. She must be really good.”
“She’s excellent. I couldn’t have asked for a better beta.”
I digested that information as Abraham sped down the highway, leaving Asheville, and hopefully the killer, behind us. Sometime during our trip I must have fallen asleep because I woke up in Abraham’s arms as he instructed one of the brothers to unlock my door.
Once inside, he carried me to my room, and placed me gently on my bed. When he tried to pull away, I wrapped my arms tight around his neck, hoping to keep him there with me.
He kissed my forehead, and whispered, “I’m going to get the guys settled, and set up a watch rotation, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
I nodded and drifted back to sleep. What felt like hours later, I woke up again, but this time to the feel of Abraham’s warm body pressed against mine, his strong arms pulling me against him. I wiggled back until my bottom was snug against his hips, causing him to hiss softly in my ear.
“Keep still, El. You’re causing an uprising.”
I frowned, and rolled over, one eye cracked open. “Huh?”
He kissed the tip of my nose and shook his head. “Nevermind. Go back to sleep, baby.”
I did as he asked, and drifted off, only to be awoken by a scream several hours later.